Extensive cervical intradural and intramedullary lipoma and spina bifida occulta of C1: a case report

Abstract

A 17-year-old boy presented with a 1-year history of progressive gait difficulties and slowing of fine hand movements. On neurological examination there was tetraspasticity, bilateral pes equinovarus and a decreased position sense in the feet. CT and MRI scan of the cervical spine demonstrated a spina bifida occulta of C1, an extensive intradural lipoma from the foramen magnum to C4 with a small intramedullary portion at C3, and a distal syringomyelia reaching down to D12. After excision of the extramedullary portion of the lipoma, there was a marked improvement of the gait and a reduction of the spasticity.