Cervicothoracic intramedullary teratoma in a 6-year-old child: A case report

Background: Intramedullary spinal teratomas are rare, accounting for 0.1% of spinal tumors. We report the successful surgical management of an extensive mature intramedullary teratoma (C6–T6) in a 6-year-old female presenting with spastic gait. Case Description: Despite the absence of intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring (IONM), a T4–T6 laminoplasty and microsurgical resection were performed. Histopathology confirmed a benign cystic teratoma. Postoperatively, the patient achieved complete clinical recovery at 24 months. Conclusion: This case demonstrates the feasibility of total resection for a rare pediatric intramedullary tumor in a resource-limited setting where IONM was unavailable. Furthermore, it highlights the application of laminoplasty as a useful technique for maintaining spinal stability and facilitating recovery.