Spinal Intradural Extramedullary Dermoid Cyst

Abstract

Background: Dermoid cysts are benign congenital tumors that develop early in life. These tumors are classified by the presence of all 3 germ layers. Spinal intradural extramedullary teratoma is a rare disease, which is more common in children under 5 years of age than in adults.

Case description: A 12-year-old girl with a dermoid cyst at the lower lumbar level presented with 2-month low back pain and intermittent lower extremity radicular symptoms on the right side. Magnetic resonance imaging scan of the spine revealed an intradural extramedullary mass lesion at L4-5. Surgical excision of the cyst was successfully performed. Surgical and histopathologic findings confirmed extramedullary ruptured matured teratoma. Postoperatively, the patient had remarkable clinical improvement.

Conclusions: Although dermoid cysts are uncommon, they should be considered in the differential diagnosis of spinal lesions in patients with lower back pain. It can be successfully treated with surgical excision.

Keywords: Dermoid cyst; Intradural extramedullary; Spinal; Teratoma.