Recurrent Intramedullary Neurenteric Cyst of the Spine

ABSTRACT

Neurenteric cysts are developmental cysts derived from embryonic endodermal layers. Fewer than 100 have been reported in which there were no associated bone or soft-tissue malformations and only six among those cases showed intramedullary location in the literatures. The authors report a 16-year-old young man with a thoracic intramedullary neurenteric cyst which presented with symptoms of axillary pain and paraparesis. The magnetic resonance imaging showed intramedullary mass extended from level of T3 to T7. There was no associated bone or soft-tissue anomaly. This cyst was partially excised and marupialized into subarachnoid space. The pathological findings were compatible with neurenteric cyst. Nine months later, the cyst recurred and at second operation, cyst wall was removed completely.