Dermoid Tumors of the Spinal Cord

This is the authors' abstract. We don't add key points for this paper.

Intradural epidermoid and dermoid tumors arising from the conus medullaris and cauda equina are uncommon. In reviewing the reports of large series of cases of tumor of the spinal cord one is impressed by the infrequent occurrence of tumors of this group. In the cases reported in the literature the growths have been classified variously as teratomas, teratoid and epidermoid cysts, cholesteatomas and dermoid tumors, according to the number of germ layers present. According to Ewing's 1 classification teratomas are tumors composed of recognizable tissues and complex organs derived from more than one germ layer. Simple dermoids consist of epidermis, derma and dermal glands, while epidermoid tumors lack definite dermal structures. Tumors of the latter group are usually considered to be of traumatic origin, but certain well defined forms of embryonic derivation are classified as cholesteatomas. The complex embryologic development of the rectum, anus and caudal end of the spinal