Aim: Sacrococcygeal teratomas are common in children, but intramedullary spinal teratomas are rare. We report a series of 10 cases of spinal teratomas, which, to the best of our knowledge, is the largest series of intramedullary teratomas.
Methods: During a period of 15 years (1987-2001) 10 cases of spinal teratomas were diagnosed in our department. The clinical profile, radiological data and histopathological slides were reviewed.
Results: Age ranged from 10 months to 51 years (mean 23.5 years) with male predominence. Duration of symptoms varied from 5 months to 20 years (mean 4.1 years). The most common symptoms were weakness of lower limbs, backache and urinary bladder involvement. Radiologically, these were heterogenous lesions with fat signal and areas of calcification. Surgery is the treatment of choice. Only 1 case recurred after 9 years of operation.
Conclusion: Although there are no specific features on imaging of intramedullary teratomas, solid and cystic morphology, fat signal and areas of calcification are some of the helpful features. Most of these lesions are diagnosed on histopathological examination after surgery. Surgery is the treatment of the choice.