2 International Hospital, Nöroşirürji Kliniği, İstanbul, Türkiye
3 Konya Eğitim ve Araştırma Hastanesi, Patoloji Laboratuarı, Konya, Türkiye
4 İstanbul Üniversitesi, Cerrahpaşa Tıp Fakültesi, Nöroşirürji Anabilim Dalı, İstanbul, Türkiye
5 İstanbul Üniversitesi Cerrahpaşa Tıp Fakültesi, Nöroşirürji Anabilim Dalı, İstanbul, Türkiye AIM: Intramedullary mature teratomas (IMMT) are rare. The association of teratomas and spinal malformations has been described in literature. Six cases report of IMMT's with associated malformations are presented. The clinical features, imaging studies, treatment, outcome, and plausible correlations of IMMT's are discussed.
MATERIAL and METHODS: 6 patients 7 days to 11 years of age are described. The female to male ratio was 4:2. Patients' clinical features, radiological and operative details, followup were evaluated.
RESULTS: Conus medullaris was the most common localization. Tethered cord was found in 4 patients. Two patients had type I split cord malformation. Low conus medullaris and lipoma were present in 2 and 3 patients. Weakness of the lower limbs and sphincter disturbances were present in 4 and 2 cases. No neurological deficits was present in two cases. Teratomas were treated by surgical resection and one recurred without malign transformation.Of the symptomatic 4 cases, 3 showed improvement in neurological status, whereas one regained continence.
CONCLUSION: Spinal cord teratoma is a rare tumor, which could be associated with spinal malformations. It is concluded that surgery should be the first choice for treatment. Radical tumor resection should be the aim of surgery. There was an excellent postoperative neurological outcome.
Anahtar Kelimeler : Intramedullary, Mature, Split cord malformation, Spinal, Teratoma