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Article
July 1994

Spinal Cord Compression in Blue Rubber Bleb Nevus Syndrome

Author Affiliations

Charleston, SC

Departments of Dermatology and Pediatrics Medical University of South Carolina 171 Ashley Ave Charleston, SC 29425-2215

Arch Dermatol. 1994;130(7):934-935. doi:10.1001/archderm.1994.01690070130024
Abstract

The blue rubber bleb nevus syndrome (BRBNS) consists of cavernous hemangiomas and hemangiomas of extracutaneous sites, most often gastrointestinal and skeletal.1 We describe a patient with BRBNS who presented with spinal cord compression and vertebral collapse due to vertebral hemangioma. This is the first report of a symptomatic vertebral hemangioma in association with BRBNS.

Report of a Case.  A 50-year-old white man experienced progressive pain and weakness of his legs following a minor back injury. He underwent a routine lumbar decompression with partial relief. However, increased pain and proximal leg weakness developed, and the patient became unable to walk. A total myelogram revealed a highgrade 75% to 80% block at the T4 vertebral level with marked indentation of the dural sac. Computed tomography revealed a destructive honeycomb appearance to the vertebral body and a mass extending into the spinal canal. A gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance image showed a large mass

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