LYMPHOMATOID DISEASES INVOLVING THE SPINAL EPIDURAL SPACE

Abstract

An extensive literature has accumulated concerning the diagnosis and treatment of benign tumors that occur within the vertebral canal. Monographs, chapters in textbooks and many excellent articles on this subject indicate the clinical course of these lesions and the favorable outlook as to life and function following their surgical treatment. A second group of tumors, namely, the primary growths of the spinal cord itself, has been given considerable attention in recent years, particularly with regard to histogenesis. In striking contrast to the voluminous literature dealing with the benign extramedullary and the usually malignant intramedullary tumors of the spinal cord there is a paucity of information concerning other malignant lesions observed within the vertebral canal. We refer to the malignant neoplastic processes that invade the spinal epidural space and frequently produce compression of the spinal cord. As examples of such lesions, we have encountered Hodgkin's disease, myeloma, carcinoma and several types