Epidermoid Tumor Spinal Cord Vs. Syringomyelia

The usual treatment for both epidermoid tumor and syringomyelia is surgery.

Both an epidermoid tumor of the spinal cord and syringomyelia are rare conditions that occur mostly from congenital causes. An epidermoid tumor has an outer covering and an inner mix of skin cells and fatty acids. Syringomyelia is a fluid-filled cyst.

What is an Epidermoid Tumor?

An epidermoid tumor (or cyst) is a normally benign slow-growing tumor that can occur in the brain or spinal cord. Spinal epidermoid cysts are mostly congenital, originating from epithelial tissue displaced when the neural tube closes between the fourth and fifth weeks of fetal development, according to a case report published in "Spinal Cord," the official journal of the International Spinal Cord Society.

Epidermoid Tumor Symptoms and Treatment

Depending on the location of the tumor, symptoms can include vision problems, seizures, fever, headaches, neck stiffness, facial pain, numbness, weakness or hearing loss. Surgery can remove most epidermoid tumors completely, according to New York-Presbyterian Hospital.

What is Syringomyelia?

A fluid known as cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) normally flows around the outside of the spinal cord and brain. CSF transports nutrients and waste products and acts as a cushion that protects the brain and spinal cord. If CSF gets inside the spinal cord, the fluid causes a cavity or cyst known as a syrinx to form. This condition is called spinal syringomyelia. The syrinx may become larger over time, destroying the center of the spinal cord.

Syringomyelia Causes

The cause of most syringomyelia is a congenital abnormality of the brain called a Chiari I malformation. This malformation causes the lower part of the brain to protrude into the spinal canal of the neck, blocking the normal flow of CSF.

Other possible causes of syringomyelia are arachnoiditis (inflammation of the arachnoid lining, a membrane surrounding the spinal cord), bleeding around the spinal cord, spinal meningitis, trauma or injury to the spinal cord or spinal tumor.

Syringomyelia Symptoms and Treatment

Syringomyelia may have no symptoms, but if the damage to the spinal cord progresses, it leads to pain, weakness and stiffness in the back, shoulders, arms or legs. Other syringomyelia symptoms may include bowel and bladder problems, facial pain or numbness, loss of sensitivity to pain and temperature and muscle spasms in legs.

If the syringomyelia is causing no symptoms, it's usually not treated. The treatment for symptomatic syringomyelia is usually surgery to remove the pressure the syrinx places on the spinal cord and to restore the normal flow of cerebrospinal fluid.

References

• National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke: Syringomyelia Fact Sheet
• Epidermoid Brain Tumor Community: Epidermoid Facts
• Spinal Cord: Intramedullary epidermoid cyst presenting with abnormal urological manifestations

Resources

• NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital: Epidermoid/Dermoid Tumors
• Mayo Clinic: Syringomyelia