Abstract

Background: Spinal cavernous malformations are rare, accounting for approximately 5–12% of all spinal cord vascular lesions. Fortunately, improvements in imaging technologies have made it easier to establish the diagnosis of intramedullary spinal cavernomas (ISCs).

Case Description: Here, we report the case of a 63-year-old male with an >11-year history of left-sided radiculopathy, ataxia, and quadriparesis. Initially, radiographic findings were interpreted as consistent with spondylotic myelopathy with cord signal changes from the C3-C7 levels. The patient underwent a C3-C7 laminectomy/foraminotomy with instrumentation. It was only after several symptomatic recurrences and repeated magnetic resonance images (MRI) that the diagnosis of a ventrally-located intramedullary lesion, concerning for a cavernoma, at the level C6 was established.

Conclusion: Early and repeated enhanced MR studies may be required to correctly establish the diagnosis and determine the optimal surgical management of ISCs.

Keywords: Cervical spine, Complex surgery, Diagnosis, Excision, Intramedullary spinal cavernoma, Laminectomy, Magnetic resonance, Myelotomy

INTRODUCTION

Spinal cord cavernous malformations (cavernomas) are rare vascular malformations (e.g., 5–12% of all such lesions).[ 3 , 7 ] Although they may remain stable and asymptomatic for decades, intramedullary spinal cavernomas (ISCs) hyperpermeable borders result in a 2.1–2.5% risk for hemorrhage per year, making surgical excision the optimal approach for accessible lesions.[ 1 , 2 , 5 , 6 ]

Here, we present a 63-year-old male with an ISC documented on magnetic resonance (MR) at the C6 level. Despite an original C3-C6 laminectomy/decompression with C3-C7 fusion, the patient rebled requiring repeated intervention.

CASE DESCRIPTION

History: A 63-year-old male presented with an 11-year history of progressive radiculopathy and ataxia involving the left upper and lower extremities, newly accompanied over the past year by a mild quadriparesis and left leg paresthesia.

In 2008, MR showed cervical stenosis with C3-C7 spondylotic myelopathy, for which a C3-C7 laminectomy/instrumented fusion was performed [ Figure 1 ]. However, in 2014, he presented with 12 months of progressive pain left-sided L5 radiculopathy. Despite a left-sided laminectomy and foraminotomy, his symptoms failed to resolve

Figure 1:

Perioperative imaging of the cervical spine fusion performed in 2008. (a) Preoperative T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the cervical spine. (b) Preoperative T2-weighted MRI of the cervical spine. No significant foci are noted, but canal stenosis is visible from C3-C6. (c) Postoperative X-ray demonstrated instrumented fusion from C3-C7. “L” denotes that the image taken from the left side of the patient’s body.

Physical examination: In 2019 (11 years after his original 2008 fusion), he presented with recurrent cervical radiculopathy, a mild quadriparesis, ataxia, and paresthesia in the left lower extremity (the latter over the past year). The follow- up MR documented a small intramedullary nodule ventrally located at the C5-C6 level accompanied by perinodular edema extending throughout the cord; the lesion remained stable on successive MR studies over the ensuring several months [ Figure 2 ]. Due to progressive myelopathy, gait instability, and vertigo, the patient underwent a posterior approach requiring removal of the cervical C5-C6 fusion for resection of the intramedullary lesion

Figure 2:

Preoperative imaging of the intramedullary spinal cavernoma resection performed in 2019. (a) Preoperative T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the cervical spine. (b) Preoperative T2-weighted MRI of the cervical spine. A small but notable signal is visible ventrally at the level of C6 consistent with a focal nodule. A significant signal consistent with peri-nodular edema is also visible from C3-C7.

Operative findings: The procedure required the utilization of ultrasound, fluoroscopy, and microsurgical technique to perform a C5-C6 midline myelotomy [ Figure 3 ]. During resection, both the left and right somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEPs) were lost. At closure, the right SSEP normalized, but the left remained diminished/absent

Figure 3:

Intraoperative imaging of myelotomy and dural opening. (a) Color photo of operative field postmyelotomy. The screws depicted in the top and bottom of the photo correspond to instrumentation at C5, C6, and C7 (from cephalad to caudal) (b) Color photo as in a, with added ruler for the measurement. (c) Color photo of operative field postdural opening.

Pathology: Intraoperatively, the frozen section staining demonstrated a collection of thin-walled vessels with focal fibrosis and thrombosis without intervening neural parenchyma, diagnostic for a cavernous angioma [ Figure 4 ]

Figure 4:

Histological examination of cavernous angioma. (a) Hematoxylin and eosin-stained section demonstrating a collection of thin- walled hyalinized vessels surrounded by a thin rim of central nervous system tissue. (b) Immunohistochemical stain for CD34 highlights the vascular endothelium. (c) Immunohistochemical stain for glial fibrillary acidic protein highlights the surrounding reactive astrocytosis in the rim of central nervous system tissue. Of note, there is no appreciable intervening central nervous system tissue between the vessels. (d) Iron stain highlights hemosiderin deposition (blue) indicative of remote hemorrhage. (Magnification ×100; all scale bars equal 200 μm).

Postoperative course: Postoperatively, the patient exhibited a mild paresis in the left L4, L5, and S1 dermatomes (chronic preoperatively), and a new left-sided upper and lower extremity hemisensory deficit without hyperreflexia. The patient was able to ambulate with assistance (i.e., due to proprioception deficits) and was discharged home

DISCUSSION

Here, we described a 63-year-old male with >11-year history of radiculopathy, progressive quadriparesis, and ataxia, with recurrent cervical myelopathy despite two operations. After recurrence, the MR indicated an intramedullary lesion at the C6 level. Following secondary surgical resection with pathological confirmation, the patient sustained significant postoperative sensory deficits but no further hemorrhagic events.[ 4 , 8 ]

Review of relevant literature

We conducted a review of the literature on intramedullary cavernomas, with a focus on spinal lesions. The preceding case followed a similar course as other chronically untreated ISCs, although, in the other cases, early resection was more common.[ 1 , 2 ] The cervical location combined with a slowly progressive course of neurologic deterioration (e.g., motor and sensory symptoms) were typically described in other series,[ 2 , 3 , 5 , 8 ] as was the typical intramedullary location of these lesions responsible for symptoms (e.g., paresthesias) and signs (differing degrees of paralysis).[ 3 , 7 ] A summary of the pertinent aspects of our literature review is available in Table 1 .

Table 1:

Pertinent aspects of each of manuscript in our literature review.

CONCLUSION

As demonstrated in the case presented and following a literature review of ISCs, one must maintain a high index of suspicion for cavernoma, especially when patients exhibit a progressive/stuttering course of neurological deterioration along with repeated intramedullary spinal hemorrhages.

Declaration of patient consent

Patient’s consent not obtained as patient’s identity is not disclosed or compromised.

Financial support and sponsorship

Nil.

Conflicts of interest

There are no conflicts of interest.

References

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