J Neurosurg Sci
-
Review Case Reports
Spontaneous rupture of spinal dermoid cyst with disseminated lipid droplets in central canal and ventricles.
Free fat in the ventricular space is a rare but well recognized complication of ruptured tumour of dermal origin. However, only 1 patient of spontaneous rupture of spinal dermoid tumour with disseminated fat in the central canal and ventricles has been described in the literature. ⋯ Despite being rarely reported, spinal dermoid cyst can rupture spontaneously, and free fat disseminate into the ventricles, and in extremely rare cases, fat can enter into the central canal. It is underlinerd that a prompt detection, with the help of MRI is essential in cases of spinal dermoid tumour cyst, with sudden deterioration in neurological condition, keeping in mind, the possibility of free fat in the central canal.
-
Case Reports
Cervical epidural hematoma without fracture in a patient with ankylosing spondylitis. A case report.
Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is an inflammatory disease involving the axial spine. Alterations in vertebral biomechanics leave the spine sensitive to traumas which, though minimal, may cause serious neurological lesions, particularly in long term AS patients with a completely ankylosed spine, who are more prone to suffer spine fractures. A 62-year-old man with a long-term AS suffered a minor trauma resulting in a cervical epidural hematoma from C2 to C7, leading to paraplegia. ⋯ Neurologic recovery can be successful if decompression is performed early. SHE must be considered after trauma to an ankylosed spine when there is neurological deterioration despite the absence of fracture. A good outcome depends on the early diagnosis and surgery.