Open AccessCentral atlantoaxial instability as a cause of syringomyelia mimic intramedullary lipoma
Author(s) -
Atul Goel,
Abhinandan Patil,
Abhidha Shah,
Survendra Rai,
Ravikiran Vutha,
Shashi Ranjan
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
journal of craniovertebral junction and spine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.38
H-Index - 23
eISSN - 0976-9285
pISSN - 0974-8237
DOI - 10.4103/jcvjs.jcvjs_65_20
Subject(s) - intramedullary rod , medicine , lipoma , syringomyelia , atlantoaxial instability , fixation (population genetics) , surgery , magnetic resonance imaging , radiology , cervical spine , population , environmental health
A case of a 32-year-old male patient is reported. He was admitted with complaints of burning dysesthesias over his right upper limb and chest and spasticity in the legs. Investigations revealed a long segment intramedullary tumor, image intensity of which matched lipoma. Imaging of craniovertebral junction suggested atlantoaxial "facetal" instability. Atlantoaxial fixation was done, and the intramedullary lipoma was not physically handled or manipulated during surgery. The patient improved in his neurological condition following surgery. The follow-up imaging showed that the intramedullary lipoma reduced significantly in its dimensions. From the case, it appears that the presence of "fat" and "water" in the intramedullary location might have similar pathogenesis.