Spinal chordoma of the dorslumbar junction.

Background: A 61-year-old woman was referred from another hospital with progressive complaints of pain along the thoracolumbar spine and progressive paresis of both legs since more than two years. Furthermore she had complaints of obstipation due to the extensive use of morphine. Clinical examination revealed a complete paralysis of both legs and a palpable mass, 15 centimeters in diameter, to the left of the spine at the level ofTh12-L1.There was no tenderness at palpation.