Türk Nöroşirürji Dergisi 2009 , Vol 19 , Num 2
Intramedullary Mature Teratoma of the Conus Medullaris in an Older Patient: A Case Report and Review of the Literature
Feyza KARAGÖZ GÜZEY1, Cem KARABULUT2, Nuri Serdar BAŞ3, Nezih ÖZKAN4, Erhan EMEL5
1,4,5Vakıf Gureba Eğitim Hastanesi, Nöroşirürji Kliniği, İstanbul, Türkiye
2Bilecik Devlet Hastanesi, Nöroşirürji Kliniği, Bilecik, Türkiye
3Özel Gaziosmanpaşa Hastanesi, Nöroşirürji Kliniği, İstanbul, Türkiye
AIM: Intramedullary teratomas are rare tumors, especially in older patients. In re t 50 literature, there are 6 patients older than 50 years. Therefore, differential diagnosis is difficult in older patients.

MATERIALandMETHODS: An older case of intramedullary teratoma was reported and the cases in literature were reviewed.

RESULTS: In a 66 year-old male with intramedullary lipomatous recurrent tumor in the conus, tumor was removed subtotally. On histological examination, tissues from three germinal layers were found: In review of literature, 87 cases with intramedullary teratomas were found (42 adults, and 45 children). In 51% of adult patients, tumors were in the conus, whereas in children, 27% were in the conus (p=0,016). Tumors could not be removed totally because of adherence to nerve roots or spinal cord in 53% of 66 cases we could learn details. However, recurrence free survival was long even in these cases (67±60 mos) except the ones with immature or malignant teratomas.

CONCLUSIONS: Spinal intramedullary teratoma is a rare disease. Most of the characteristics are same in pediatric and adult patients except tumor location. In adult patients, it is usually mature, restricted tumors located in the conus, however, in children more extensive thoracic or cervical tumors are frequent. Anahtar Kelimeler : Spinal surgery, Spinal tumor, Teratoma