Benign metastasizing leiomyoma causing spinal cord compression

BACKGROUND: Leiomyoma as a cause of cord compression is extremely rare. To our knowledge this is the first report of a dural-based leiomyoma and second report of a leiomyoma causing cord compression. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 38-year-old female renal transplant recipient presented with features of cervical cord compression. On imaging and at surgery, the tumor was mistaken for a neurofibroma. A cervical laminectomy and near total excision of the tumor was done. She did well in the postoperative period but presented 5 months later with thoracic empyema leading to septicemia and her demise. Ultrasound examination and autopsy showed leiomyomas in many other sites including the uterus. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of extrauterine and uterine leiomyomas is a curious condition termed as "benign metastasizing leiomyoma." As our patient was on immunosuppressant therapy following a renal transplant, it might have predisposed her to this rare condition with multifocal tumors.