Intradural venous varix: a rare cause of an intradural lumbar spine lesion.

STUDY DESIGN

A case of intradural venous varix producing a mass-like lesion in the lumbar spine is reported.

OBJECTIVE

To present a rare cause of an intradural mass lesion along the cauda equina. To present radiologic findings of this entity and to offer a hypothesis for its formation.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

Epidural venous varices have been described previously in the literature. To the authors' knowledge, no cases of intradural venous varix presenting as an intradural mass have been reported previously.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

An elongated, serpentine intradural mass was discovered on routine lumbar MRI performed for investigation of the patient's radiculopathy. The patient underwent laminectomy and intradural exploration.

RESULT

On surgical exploration, a serpentine, massively dilated vein was identified, which distorted the normal nerve roots.

CONCLUSION

A venous varix should be considered in the differential diagnosis of an intradural lesion in the lumbar spine in the appropriate clinical setting.