SPINAL-CORD COMPRESSION FROM METASTATIC LEYDIGS CELL TUMOR OF THE TESTIS - CASE-REPORT

A CASE OF spinal cord compression from metastatic Leydig's cell tumor of the testis is presented. This 67-year-old man exhibited paraparesis and neurogenic bladder dysfunction secondary to a spinal epidural mas s at the T5 level as the initial manifestation of his cancer. Surgical resection was undertaken for tissue diagnosis and spinal cord decompr ession. The histopathological features of the epidural mass and the ex cised left testicle were identical, indicative of Leydig's cell carcin oma. The literature is reviewed for previous experience with this exce edingly rare tumor. Unlike most metastatic spinal malignancies, radiat ion therapy is an ineffectual treatment modality for this tumor. Surgi cal resection is the only therapeutic option available for amelioratio n of spinal cord compression.