case_images: PMC6556238_01
case_images: Magnetic resonance images (MRIs) and computed tomography scans (CTs) acquired at the time of acute onset of quadriparesis (a-f) and MRIs acquired 2 years earlier the quadriparesis (g, h): (a) sagittal T1WI, (b) axial T1WI, (c) sagittal T2WI, (d) axial T2WI, (e) sagittal CT, (f) axial CT, (g) sagittal T2WI, and (h) axial T2WI. Images at the onset shows a mass in the spinal canal at C4-5 on the right that is compressing the spinal cord. CT indicates that the mass did not contain osseous tissue. On the other hand, MRIs acquired 2 years earlier to investigate neck pain show that the tumor was present at that time but was not large or compressing the spinal cord.
case_images: CRIOR2019-3131628.001.jpg
case_images: PMC6556238_01_CRIOR2019-3131628.001.jpg
case_images: fig1
case_images: Emergent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed an epidural mass in the right ligamentum flavum at the C4-C5 level (Figures 1(a)-1(d)). Computed tomography (CT) scanning confirmed that there was no ossification in the mass (Figures 1(e) and 1(f)). However, cervical MRI scan that had been acquired 2 years earlier to investigate neck pain (Figures 1(g) and 1(h)) revealed that the tumor was present at that time but was smaller and not compressing the spinal cord.
case_images: (a, b) Macroscopic features of the tumor specimen with the cervical lamina (the smallest division of the scale is 1 mm). (c) Histological findings from the resected tumor revealed cartilaginous tissue with no atypical cells (hematoxylin-eosin staining).
case_images: CRIOR2019-3131628.002.jpg
case_images: PMC6556238_01_CRIOR2019-3131628.002.jpg
case_images: fig2
case_images: We removed the mass en bloc along with the right C4 and C5 lamina (Figure 2). The mass was 10 mm x 10 mm in size, and there was an appearance of cartilaginous tissue rather than a hematoma (Figures 2(a) and 2(b)). Hematoxylin-eosin staining showed cartilaginous tissue, there were no atypical cells, and the final diagnosis was chondromatous lesion (Figure 2(c)).
case_images: Postoperative MRIs confirm decompression of the cervical spinal cord. (a) Sagittal T2WI. (b) Axial T2WI.
case_images: CRIOR2019-3131628.003.jpg
case_images: PMC6556238_01_CRIOR2019-3131628.003.jpg
case_images: fig3
case_images: No recurrence was observed on follow-up MRI (Figure 3).