Spectrum of Complications in a Case of Intramedullary Dermoid

Abstract

Background: Intramedullary spinal cord dermoid tumors are rare. Early diagnosis with appropriate imaging is of utmost importance for a good outcome. Gross total resection is the treatment of choice for optimal results. Neurosurgical intervention for any intramedullary lesion is fraught with problems because of the nature of the lesion and handling of the spinal cord, which is already compromised because of the intramedullary lesion. Recurrence of the intramedullary dermoid tumor is frequent because of incomplete resection of the tumor. Most commonly, patients present with worsening of neurologic deficits. Inadequate resection because of the fear of worsening the neurologic deficits is associated with significant complications.

Case description: We report a case of an intramedullary dermoid tumor in a child that was associated with myriad of complications owing to incomplete resection of the tumor. The patient underwent multiple interventions at various centers which resulted in serious multiple complications before presenting at our center for further management.

Conclusions: This report highlights the spectrum of complications that can develop in a patient varying from worsening of the deficits to meningitis and subsequent development of hydrocephalus.

Keywords: Complications; Hydrocephalus; Intramedullary dermoid; Meningitis.