2000 Volume 49 Issue 3 Pages 712-717
Two cases of intraspinal dermoid cysts were reported. Intraspinal dermoid cyst is a congenital tumor whose genesis is related to the anomalous implantation of ectodermal cells during closure of the neural tube between the 3rd and 5th weeks of embryonic life. Repeated lumbar punctures are sometimes responsible for this tumor.
At operation, dermoid cysts are often found embedded in the conus medullaris or firmly adherent to the cauda equina, thus pre- cluding complete removal. However evacuation of the cystic contents gives lasting relief of low back pain and does not cause any deterioration in neurological function. In two cases, the tumor capsule adhered so tightly to the nervous tissue that part of it was left in situ. In the followup study, ranging from 5 to 10 years after operation, neurological symptoms were not recognized.
