Case of spinal cord hemangioma simulating the clinical course of multiple sclerosis

: The authors report a case of haemangioma of the thoracic spine in a man aged 50 years in whom the clinical course of the disease resembled that of multiple sclerosis. The monofocal character of the clinical symptoms and signs, the course of the disease with steady progression without intermittent improvement suggested a slowly developing expanding lesion in the lower thoracic part of the spinal canal. The correct diagnosis was reached after myelography and spinal arteriography. Three months after surgical closure of the afferent vessels the patient died died from septicaemia originating from extensive refractory decubitus ulcers.