Intramedullary spinal immature teratoma: resolution of quadriplegia following resection in a 4-week-old infant

J Neurosurg Pediatr. 2010 Dec;6(6):586-91. doi: 10.3171/2010.9.PEDS1022.

Abstract

Intramedullary spinal cord teratomas are rare entities in infants. Management of these lesions is primarily surgical, with outcome dependent on rapid surgical decompression and complete gross-total tumor resection. The lesions are typically of the mature type, with immature teratomas displaying unique pathological features. The authors report a case of an extensive intramedullary immature teratoma in an infant with resolution of quadriplegia following gross-total radical resection. At the 1-year follow-up, there was radiographic evidence of tumor, and surgical reexploration yielded portions of immature teratoma and extensive gliosis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Neurosurgical Procedures*
  • Quadriplegia / etiology
  • Quadriplegia / pathology
  • Quadriplegia / surgery*
  • Reoperation
  • Spinal Cord Neoplasms / complications
  • Spinal Cord Neoplasms / pathology
  • Spinal Cord Neoplasms / surgery*
  • Teratoma / complications
  • Teratoma / pathology
  • Teratoma / surgery*