Rosai-Dorman disease causing cervical myelopathy

Study Design. A case report of a rare disease entity and review of the lite rature. Objectives. To illustrate the occurrence of an unusual disease affecting th e spine and spinal canal. Summary of Background Data. Rosai-Dorman disease is considered an idiopathi c benign lymphoproliferative disease that typically occurs in the earlier d ecades of life. The usual manifestation is painless massive cervical lympha denopathy, although involvement of many extra nodal sites is common. This c ase illustrates Rosai-Dorman disease occurring in an elderly man with myelo pathy and mass lesions of the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spinal canal w ithout typical lymphadenopathy. Methods. Case report illustrating clinical presentation as well as radiogra phic and pathologic findings, including comparisons to cases previously rep orted. Results. Surgical decompression with incomplete resection of the lesion was performed, providing diagnosis and treatment guidance. The patient experie nced significant neurologic improvement of myelopathy. Conclusions. Recognizing clinical and laboratory features of this disease m ay permit earlier diagnosis and limit or avoid surgical intervention in som e cases.