Idiopathic hypertrophic pachymeningitis as a rare cause of cervical compressive myelopathy

• Main Authors: Aya Fukuda, Elizabete Punaro, Fábio Rogério, Luciano de Souza Queiroz, Fabiano Reis
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2017-01-01
• Series: Journal of Craniovertebral Junction and Spine
• Subjects: Idiopathic hypertrophic pachymeningitis; cervical spine; magnetic resonance imaging
• Online Access: http://www.jcvjs.com/article.asp?issn=0974-8237;year=2017;volume=8;issue=4;spage=387;epage=389;aulast=Fukuda
• ISSN: 0974-8237

The spinal form of idiopathic hypertrophic pachymeningitis (IHP) is a rare condition characterized by a chronic progressive diffuse inflammatory fibrosis of the dura mater, which may evolve to the compression of the spinal cord. We present a case report about IHP focusing on its features in magnetic resonance imaging, which are determined by an intradural extramedullary mass in the cervical spine showing hypointensity on T2-weighted images and peripheral enhancement, causing compression of the spinal cord. Histological analysis showed a nonspecific chronic inflammatory process in dense fibrous tissue. The patient had a good outcome after therapy with steroids.