Primary polymorphous hemangioendothelioma of the spinal cord - Case report

A case of polymorphous hemangioendothelioma of the spinal cord is described . This 55-year-old woman presented with an 18-month history of lower-extrem ity sensorimotor deficit. A magnetic resonance image revealed an enhancing, intradural, extramedullary nodule at the T1-2 level. On gross inspection, the lesion measured 3.5 cm and was firmly attached to spinal cord parenchym a and adjacent nerve roots. It was completely removed. Fourteen months afte r surgery the patient's neurological deficit had resolved. Polymorphous hem angioendothelioma is a rare vascular tumor of borderline malignancy. Most o ccur in lymph nodes. None has been reported to occur in the central and per ipheral nervous system. Based on current experience, resection and close fo llow up seems the best therapeutic approach.