Multicentric plasma cell granuloma of spinal cord meninges

Abstract

A 37-year-old man had multicentric meningeal plasma cell granuloma of the spinal cord. The presenting symptoms were back pain and progressive numbness and weakness of both legs for 6 months. Through physical examination, hypoesthesia below the inguinal region and decreased muscle power of both legs with bilateral ankle clonus was seen. Computed tomographic myelogram and magnetic resonance imaging showed 2 extramedullary intradural masses at the T5 and T12-L1 levels. The latter produced all the neurologic deficits. The patient underwent 2 consecutive operations: laminectomy with removal of the tumor at the T12-L1 level, and thoracotomy with partial corpectomy and removal of the tumor at T5 level. Findings from both operations showed that the tumors arose from the dura and grew inward compressing the spinal cord. Microscopically, these 2 tumors showed identical pictures of plasma cell granuloma and were characterized by numerous granulomas formed by mature plasma cells with Russell bodies and histiocytes set in a fibrotic background. The patient was discharged with complete recovery of sensory and motor functions of both legs.