Epidural varix at the cervicothoracic junction: unusual cause of quadriplegia: a case report.

STUDY DESIGN

A case report describing an unusual incident of quadriplegia in a young adult male caused by an epidural varix at the cervicothoracic junction.

OBJECTIVE

To report an unusual case of quadriplegia caused by an epidural varix at the cervicothoracic junction.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

Epidural varices are dilated tortuous elongated veins inside the central canal. In degenerative spinal stenosis, these varices are a result of venous stagnation and contribute to the pathogenesis of radicular pain. In the absence of stenosis, primary varicosities develop as a result of dynamic obstruction to venous outflow during spinal movements. A primary epidural varix can produce neurologic deficit similar to a space occupying lesion within the spinal canal. The myeloradiculopathy is of a slow progressive nature.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A young man presented with an acute onset flaccid quadriplegia in the absence of significant trauma. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed an extradural space occupying lesion at the cervicothoracic junction that was diagnosed as an isolated epidural varix during surgery.

RESULTS

No neurologic recovery occurred. Postoperative magnetic resonance imaging revealed a syrinx in the cervicothoracic cord.

CONCLUSION

In the absence of other precipitating factors, the cord injury was attributed to the epidural varix. A temporary impedance to the venous outflow with the increase in the venous pressure has been hypothesized as the mechanism of cord injury.