Published in:
01-06-2012 | Case Report
Hemodialysis-related upper cervical extradural amyloidoma presenting with intractable radiculopathy
Published in: European Spine Journal | Special Issue 4/2012
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Introduction
Destructive spondyloarthropathy may occur in long-term hemodialysis patients, but focal amyloid deposits in the spine are rare. We present a case of upper cervical extradural amyloidoma with a history of long-term hemodialysis presenting with progressive and intractable radiculopathy.
Clinical presentation
We describe a 51-year-old female with a long-term history of hemodialysis treatment. She suffered progressive and intolerable right occipital headache. Neurological examination revealed right C2 radiculopathy. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the cervical spine showed a solid focal extradural mass lesion at the C2 level. She underwent subtotal resection of the extradural mass lesion and decompression of the right C2 nerve root by a posterior approach. Histological examination revealed amyloid deposits. The occipital headache immediately disappeared after surgery. Follow-up MRI 10 months after surgery demonstrated no recurrence of the extradural amyloidoma.
Conclusion
Development of an upper cervical extradural amyloidoma after long-term hemodialysis is extremely rare. Prompt evaluation of long-term hemodialysis patients suffering from progressive cervical pain should be recommended, and treatment is required if there are signs or symptoms of compression of a nerve root or the spinal cord.