ABSTRACT
Spinal arachnoid cyst is a rare cause of myelopathy secondary to spinal cord compression. We report a case presenting extradural arachnoid cyst of probable traumatic origin leading to irreversible neurological deficits including paraparesis and neurogenic bladder. The patient presented progressive paraparesis and voiding difficulty. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the spine revealed long segmental cystic lesion of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) signal intensity at dorsal extramedullary space of T11 to L3 level suggesting arachnoid cyst with diffuse cord compression. On the operation, an ovoid shaped dural defect was identified at right sided dorsolateral aspect of the dura mater between nerve root sleeves at T11 and T12 level. The patient was treated by microsurgical repair of the dural defect and intraoperative findings revealed no further leakage of CSF. The neurological status of the patient was stationary on follow-up examination postoperatively. We postulate that delayed-onset post-traumatic extradural arachnoid cyst should be taken into consideration on the differential diagnosis of intrapinal cysts.
Subject(s)
Humans , Arachnoid , Diagnosis, Differential , Dura Mater , Follow-Up Studies , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Paraparesis , Spinal Cord Compression , Spinal Cord Diseases , Spine , Urinary Bladder, NeurogenicABSTRACT
Spinal arachnoid cysts are relatively uncommon lesions that may be either intradural or extradural, while intradural spinal arachnoid cysts are even less common. The cysts are filled with clear, and colorless fluid nearly identical to cerebrospinal fluid. The origin of these cysts remains unclear although congenital, traumatic, and inflammatory causes have been postulated. These cysts are usually asymptomatic but may produce symptoms by compressing the spinal cord or nerve roots suddenly or progressively. The treatment of choice is surgical excision or fenestration, which is indicated when there are features of cord compression. We report a case of a thoracic spinal intradural arachnoid cyst in 13-year-old girl with chest pain.
Subject(s)
Adolescent , Female , Humans , Arachnoid Cysts , Arachnoid , Cerebrospinal Fluid , Chest Pain , Spinal Cord , ThoraxABSTRACT
We report a case of thoracolumbar extradural arachnoid cyst in a 39-year-old male who presented with left lower thoracolumbar back pain, left buttock pain, hypesthesia in the left leg for three months. Magnetic resonance image revealed a cystic mass which lies posterior to the spinal cord from T12 to L2 vertebra level. The spinal cord was displaced anteriorly and flattened. We performed total laminectomy from lower half of T12 to upper half of L2 to remove cystic mass which was found to be an extradural lesion. There was a dural opening near the left L1 nerve root sleeve through which cerebrospinal fluid(CSF) was leaking and part of nerve roots were moving back and forth by CSF pulsation. A prompt improvement of the symptoms was noted after surgery. Possible mechanisms of spinal extradural arachnoid cyst and surgical intervention are discussed.
Subject(s)
Adult , Humans , Male , Arachnoid , Back Pain , Buttocks , Hypesthesia , Laminectomy , Leg , Spinal Cord , SpineABSTRACT
The authors have experienced a case of an arachnoid cyst within the cervical canal. The patient suffered from right upper extremity pain and numbness for 1 month. On cervical MRI, intradural extramedullary mass was detected. A total laminectomy of C5, C6 and C7 was performed. We could diagnose by radiological and pathological findings.
Subject(s)
Humans , Arachnoid , Hypesthesia , Laminectomy , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Spinal Canal , Upper ExtremityABSTRACT
The authors have experienced a case of an arachnoid cyst within the cervical canal. The patient suffered from right upper extremity pain and numbness for 1 month. On cervical MRI, intradural extramedullary mass was detected. A total laminectomy of C5, C6 and C7 was performed. We could diagnose by radiological and pathological findings.