Oncocytoma of the spinal cord causing paraplegia - a case report

Study design: Case report. Objectives: To describe a rare case of oncocytom a arising from the spinal cord in a 40- year old woman. Setting: Republic of Korea. Methods: The patient's history, physical examination, radiological and pathological findings were reviewed. Results: A 40- year- old woman presented with 3- month history of low back pain. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed an intradural extramedullary mass located between L1 and L4. She refused any surgical treatment and so was discharged. At 10 days after discharge, an emergency operation was performed because of sudden paralysis in both lower extremities. The confirmed diagnosis is oncocytoma. At 4 months after surgery, the patient failed to obtain neurological recovery from complete paraplegia. Conclusions: Since the progression of an intradural extramedullary mass that shows minor neurological symptoms can lead to complete paraplegia in a short time, close observation and early surgical decompression are necessary.