Spinal Intradural Extramedullary Cavernous Angioma Presenting with Superficial Siderosis and Hydrocephalus: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Abstract

A 36-year-old man with progressive hearing impairment visited our hospital complaining of a severe headache. A neurological examination revealed bilateral sensorineural hearing impairment, mild ataxia, hyperreflexia and mild cognitive dysfunction. Brain MRI demonstrated hydrocephalus and typical hypointensity rimming the brain surface on T2^*-weighted images. The patient was diagnosed as having superficial siderosis. Spinal MRI disclosed the presence of a lumbar intradural extramedullary mass. The surgically resected tumor was histologically found to be a cavernous angioma. Superficial siderosis is an important cause of hearing loss. With respect to the detection of disorders underlying this pathological condition, MRI examinations, including those of the brain and whole spinal cord, are recommended.