Intradural extramedullary aspergilloma complicating chronic lymphatic leukaemia

Abstract

Intradural extramedullary masses causing compression of the spinal cord consist almost exclusively of benign tumours, the majority being neurofibromata and meningiomas (Epstein, 1976), while lipomata (Caram et al., 1957), dermoids, epidermoids and teratomas (McCarty et al., 1959) are occasionally encountered. Less commonly compression may be due to malignant tumours, usually metastases from primary brain tumours (Sagerman et al., 1965) or more rarely from sites outside the nervous system. Spinal cord compression in the lymphomas and leukaemias is usually due to an extradural deposit with or without bony involvement (Verity, 1968; Mullins et al., 1971). Since these lesions are radiosensitive and urgent treatment is often indicated, radiotherapy may be undertaken without histological evidence of the nature of the lesion.