Intradural spinal arachnoid cysts in adults

Spinal Intradural Arachnoid Webs Causing Spinal Cord Compression with Inconclusive Preoperative Imaging: A Report of 3 Cases and a Review of the Literature

OBJECTIVE

Spinal arachnoid webs are a rare variant of spinal arachnoid cysts where 1 or multiple focal membranes of arachnoid tissue obstruct the subarachnoid space. Only 11 prior cases of arachnoid webs have been reported in the literature. We present a series of 3 consecutive cases of arachnoid webs from our institution and review the literature on this rare condition to provide recommendations for its management.

METHODS

Retrospective chart review was performed for 3 consecutive cases of intradural arachnoid webs causing spinal cord compression at our institution, with inconclusive preoperative imaging, treatment with surgical decompression, and resection. There were no external sources of funding.

RESULTS

Our cases occurred dorsally in the thoracic spine and were associated with syringomyelia. Preoperative magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography myelography, and cine magnetic resonance imaging were inconclusive, and the definitive diagnosis was made with intraoperative ultrasound. Patients underwent laminectomies and resection of arachnoid webs. Unique from prior reports of arachnoid webs, the webs in the present cases were composed of multiple septated longitudinal membranes rather than a transverse band. All patients had improvement of presenting symptoms postoperatively.

CONCLUSIONS

Intradural arachnoid webs causing spinal cord compression are rare. Preoperative imaging may be inconclusive. Because of the septated longitudinal nature of the visualized membranes, we propose a 1-way valve mechanism of cerebrospinal fluid obstruction causing gradual cord compression and resultant syringomyelia.

[Spinal extradural arachnoid cyst: A case report and review of literature]

BACKGROUND

Arachnoid cysts of spine are a very rare occurrence. The aetiology still remains unclear, but the most accepted explanation is the existence of areas of weakness in the spinal dura. Symptoms depend on the location in the spine. Magnetic resonance imaging is used for its diagnosis. Management depends of clinical presentation, and the surgery is reserved for patients with neurological impairment.

CLINICAL CASE

A case is described of 67 year-old male with myelopathy and radiculopathy symptoms, both diagnosed simultaneously. The magnetic resonance imaging was used to diagnose a thoracolumbar extradural arachnoid cyst from T12-L2 and lumbar spinal canal stenosis. The patient was treated with a puncture procedure to empty the cyst and decompress the neural elements. There was a clinical improvement of myelopathy syndrome after puncture procedure. One month later, the patient underwent a minimally invasive surgical approach to decompress the neural elements in lumbar spine, achieving improvement of the radiculopathy syndrome and neurogenic claudication in both legs.

CONCLUSION

There is currently no standard minimally invasive approach to surgically treat these cysts, but if the patient has mild symptoms, clinical observation is recommended.

Atypical cause of radiculopathy - Intradural spinal arachnoid cyst

Intradural spinal arachnoid cysts are a relatively uncommon lesion that may be either intra, or extradural, and intradural spinal arachnoid cysts are even less common. Arachnoid cysts are cerebrospinal fluid collections in the spine that can present with neurological symptoms. The objective of this paper is to describe a rare case of radicular pain due to a spinal arachnoid cyst.

Extensive spinal intradural arachnoid cyst exhibiting a "double cord sign" on magnetic resonance imaging

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective case study.

OBJECTIVE

To report on a case with an extensive intradural arachnoid cyst that caused left hemiparesis.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

Intradural arachnoid cysts are not common causes of spinal cord compression and myelopathy. Although arachnoid cysts of the spine have been occasionally reported, cases with extensive intradural arachnoid cysts associated with hemiparesis are rarely reported.

METHOD

The patient was a 43-year-old woman who had cervical myelopathy symptoms, including radiating pain and left limb hemiparesis with gait disturbance. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed an extensive intradural extramedullary multi-septated cyst from the C6-T12, exhibiting a double cord sign on the T2-weighted axial image of the spine. The mass blocked normal cerebrospinal fluid flow, which led to cord compression. Two stages of operations were planned because of the patient's health status. The patient underwent laminectomy and cyst wall resection on the level of the T5-T7, which had the most compressed lesion. From C6-T2, a right side unilateral laminectomy was performed to resolve the right limb's neurology after the first operation.

RESULT

Hypoesthesia and the radiating pain were improved immediately postoperatively; however, motor power at the C8-T1 level of the right unaffected side was impaired and included finger abduction and finger flexion, which decreased to 4/5. During the second operation, the arachnoid cyst was exposed by performing a right unilateral laminectomy. The patient's neurologic symptoms were improved without neurologic sequelae.

CONCLUSION

In the case of an extensive cyst that exhibits a double cord sign, an intradural arachnoid cyst should be suspected as a differential diagnosis. Without radical excision of all lesions, neurologic symptoms can be recovered by performing selective resection and CSF normalization can be achieved even at extensive levels.

[Rare location of arachnoid cysts. Extratemporal cysts]

The therapeutic management of arachnoid cysts depends largely on its location. Almost 50% of arachnoid cysts are located in the temporal fossa-Sylvian fissure, whereas the other half is distributed in different locations, sometimes exceptional. Under the name of infrequent location arachnoid cysts, a description is presented of those composed of 2 sheets of arachnoid membrane, which are not located in the temporal fossa, and are primary or congenital.

Interdural Spinal Cyst: A Rare Clinical Entity

BACKGROUND

For more than 2 decades, dural spinal cysts have been broadly classified as extradural and intradural.

CASE DESCRIPTION

A 40-year-old woman presented with radicular thoracic pain. Intraoperative findings showed the cyst to be present within the dura itself.

CONCLUSIONS

We suggest a revised classification of spinal dural cysts. This case highlights that, during surgery for spinal meningeal cysts, surgeons should bear in mind the possibility of an interdural cyst. This may help avoid inadvertent tears in the deep layers of such cysts, thus maintaining dural patency.

Cervicothoracic Arachnoid Cyst Causing Cervical Myelopathy: A Case Report

Several types of intraspinal cyst develop within the spinal canal from the craniovertebral junction to the sacrum. These lesions occur in both children and adults. Arachnoid cysts are one of them and are more frequent in the paediatric population, being a relatively uncommon lesion in adults. The arachnoid cyst may be located intradurally or extradurally. The intradural type may be congenital or from spinal trauma, infection or spondylosis. Although intradural arachnoid cysts are often asymptomatic, they may give early symptoms when they exist with synchronous pathologies constricting the spinal canal gradually as in cervical spondylosis. In this report, a 60-year-old man with an arachnoid cyst of the cervicothoracic spine is presented. His cyst remained undiagnosed because of the nonspecific nature of the symptoms. It was only when he developed right hemiparesis that a posterior fluid collection compressing the spinal cord was found in Magnetic resonance imaginig. An intradural extramedullary cyst was removed with successful surgery and cord compression and symptoms were reversed. We discuss radiological diagnosis and surgical treatment of an arachnoid cyst in this report.

Animated respiratory movement of a spinal intradural arachnoid cyst visualized by intraoperative ultrasonography

This study aims to describe the animated respiratory movement of a spinal intradural arachnoid cyst visualized by intraoperative ultrasonography. A 69-year-old man with a spinal arachnoid cyst of the thoracic spine presented with gait disturbance. Magnetic resonance images showed a mild anterior displacement and flattening of the spinal cord at T4-T5. We performed ultrasonography before incision of the dura during the operation and observed the movement of the cyst consisting of not only pulsation in accordance with the cardiac cycle but also rhythmic expansion and contraction in accordance with the respiratory cycle. In the inspiratory phase, the cyst gradually expanded and pulsated in accordance with the cardiac cycle. In the expiratory phase, the cyst gradually contracted with the same pulsation. After resection of the cyst, the patient's neurological improvements were excellent. To our knowledge, this is the first report of animated respiratory movement of a spinal arachnoid cyst visualized by intraoperative ultrasonography. Although cine magnetic resonance imaging can detect spinal intradural arachnoid cysts preoperatively, intraoperative ultrasonography is useful for close analysis of their movement and pathology. Considering the dynamic compression mechanism revealed in this study, we think that an early operation should be performed for such cysts.

Focal anterior displacement of the thoracic spinal cord without evidence of spinal cord herniation or an intradural mass

OBJECTIVE

We report magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings on focal anterior displacement of the thoracic spinal cord in asymptomatic patients without a spinal cord herniation or intradural mass.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We identified 12 patients (male:female = 6:6; mean age, 51.7; range, 15-83 years) between 2007 and 2011, with focal anterior displacement of the spinal cord and without evidence of an intradural mass or spinal cord herniation. Two radiologists retrospectively reviewed the MRI findings in consensus.

RESULTS

An asymmetric spinal cord deformity with a focal dented appearance was seen on the posterior surface of the spinal cord in all patients, and it involved a length of 1 or 2 vertebral segments in the upper thoracic spine (thoracic vertebrae 1-6). Moreover, a focal widening of the posterior subarachnoid space was also observed in all cases. None of the patients had myelopathy symptoms, and they showed no focal T2-hyperintensity in the spinal cord with the exception of one patient. In addition, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow artifacts were seen in the posterior subarachnoid space of the affected spinal cord level. Computed tomography myelography revealed preserved CSF flow in the two available patients.

CONCLUSION

Focal anterior spinal cord indentation can be found in the upper thoracic level of asymptomatic patients without a spinal cord herniation or intradural mass.

Scalloping Sacral Arachnoid Cyst as a Cause of Perianal Pain- A Case Report

Introduction:

Scalloping sacral arachnoid cyst though a rare condition, should be suspected in cases of persistent perianal pain without any obvious urological or anorectal pathology. Such difficult cases justify ordering an M.R.I of spine as plain X-Rays and clinical examination may come out to be inconclusive. X-ray in later stages may show changes corresponding to scalloping of bone due pressure effect of cyst on surrounding tissue. Diagnosis may further be confirmed by doing contrast MRI which differentiates arachnoid cyst from other intradural and extradural pathologies. Though anatomically spinal arachnoid cysts are just an out pouching from the spinal meningeal sac or nerve root sheath they may be extradural or intradural in their location, communicating to main C.S.F column through their pedicle or an ostium leading to continuous enlargement in size.

Case Report:

A 32 year old female was admitted under our spine unit with 1.5 year history of chronic pain, swelling and reduced sensation in perianal region. On examination she had tenderness and hypoesthesia over lower sacral region. The pain was continuous, dull aching in nature, not related to activity, localized over lower sacrum and perianal area. The neurological examination of her both lower limbs were unremarkable. Anal tone and anal reflex were normal. No sign of inflammation or tenderness was found over coccyx. Since the X-rays were inconclusive an MRI scan was done which showed a cystic lesion in the sacral area extending from S2 to S4 region with mechanical scalloping effect on the surrounding bone. The lesion had same intensity as C.S.F in both T1 &T2 weighted images. The treatment was done by way of surgical decompression with complete excision of cyst and obliteration of space by a posterior midline approach. Presently the patient is 1 year post operative and no sign of recurrence is there.

Conclusion:

Sacral arachnoid cysts should be considered as a differential diagnosis of perianal pain. Large symptomatic sacral cysts should be treated early with complete removal of the cyst including the cyst wall, to reduce the chances of recurrence. Complete decompression of the cyst cavity should be aimed at, but careful dissection of neural element is of highest importance.

A novel five-category multimodal T1-weighted and T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging-based stratification system for the selection of spinal arachnoid cyst treatment: a 15-year experience of 81 cases

BACKGROUND

Idiopathic spinal arachnoid cysts are rare cystic masses of the spinal canal generally classified as intra- or extradural, based on anatomical presentation. However, this system may not effectively indicate treatment.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the incidence, resection modality, and prognosis of spinal arachnoid cyst in a 15-year case series.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A retrospective study was conducted in 81 spinal arachnoid cyst patients (male:female 34:47, mean age 36.5 years, age range 6-66 years) classified using a novel five-category T1-weighted and T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) classification system (intramedullary, subdural extramedullary, subdural/epidural, intraspinal epidural, or intraspinal/extraspinal). Conservative treatment failed in all patients. They underwent spinal surgery between January 1995 and December 2010 and were followed up for 69 (range 3-187) months. Performance outcomes were assessed using the Fugl-Meyer (FM) scale 90 days after operation. Recurrences and deaths were recorded.

RESULTS

Subdural/epidural and intraspinal epidural cysts accounted for 66.7% (54 of 81) of patients, but exhibited relatively lower rates of postsurgical improvement using FM, with only 66.7% (36 of 54) of patients showing improvements. Excellent outcomes using the FM scale were reached in 100% (eight of eight) of intramedullary, intraspinal/extraspinal, and subdural extramedullary cyst patients, 86.7% (13 of 15) of subdural extramedullary cyst patients, and 66.7% (36 of 54) of epidural intraspinal cyst patients.

CONCLUSION

The proposed five-category multimodal MRI-based stratification system for spinal arachnoid cyst patients may more effectively allow clinicians to select the appropriate surgical intervention, and may help to predict outcomes.

Cervical spinal intradural arachnoid cysts in related, young pugs

Seven related young pugs were diagnosed with cervical spinal intradural arachnoid cysts by magnetic resonance imaging (n = 6) and myelography (n = 1). All dogs were presented with skin abrasions on their thoracic limbs and non-painful neurological deficits, indicating a C1-T2 myelopathy. In all six dogs examined by magnetic resonance imaging not only the spinal arachnoid cyst but also a concomitant, most likely secondary, syringohydromyelia was confirmed. Pedigree analysis suggested a genetic predisposition for spinal arachnoid cysts in this family of pugs. Generalised proprioceptive deficits more pronounced in the thoracic limbs suggesting a focal cervical spinal cord lesion, with concomitant skin abrasions on the dorsal aspect of the thoracic limbs in a young pug, should alert veterinarians to the possibility of cervical spinal arachnoid cysts.

Dorsal thoracic arachnoid web and the "scalpel sign": a distinct clinical-radiologic entity

Arachnoid webs are intradural extramedullary bands of arachnoid tissue that can extend to the pial surface of the spinal cord, causing a focal dorsal indentation of the cord. These webs tend to occur in the upper thoracic spine and may produce a characteristic deformity of the cord that we term the "scalpel sign." We describe 14 patients whose imaging studies demonstrated the scalpel sign. Ten of 13 patients who underwent MR imaging demonstrated T2WI cord signal-intensity changes, and 7 of these patients also demonstrated syringomyelia adjacent to the level of indentation. Seven patients underwent surgery, with 5 demonstrating an arachnoid web as the cause of the dorsal indentation demonstrated on preoperative imaging. Although the webs themselves are rarely demonstrated on imaging, we propose that the scalpel sign is a reliable indicator of their presence and should prompt consideration of surgical lysis, which is potentially curative.

Craniocervical arachnoid cyst in a patient with Klippel-Feil syndrome: a unique case: case report

Klippel-Feil syndrome, or brevicollis, is a complex congenital disorder caused by the improper segmentation of the cervical vertebrae. The authors present the very rare case of a patient with Klippel-Feil syndrome who presented with an intradural arachnoid cyst at the craniocervical junction. They also examine possible factors contributing to this association. A 46-year-old woman presented with complaints of progressively worsening headaches and dizziness of 18 months' duration. She also demonstrated mild bilateral upper-extremity weakness. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed fused cervical vertebrae and a dorsal intradural arachnoid cyst at the craniocervical junction, extending down to the fourth cervical level. Because of worsening myelopathy and the presence of brainstem compression, the patient underwent surgical excision of the arachnoid cyst, which was approached via a midline posterior suboccipital/upper cervical route. An endoscope was introduced through a gap between the occiput and fused upper cervical vertebrae, and the arachnoid cyst was widely fenestrated. Postoperatively, the patient has remained symptom free for more than 2 years with evidence of good radiological decompression. The authors report a unique association between craniocervical arachnoid cyst and Klippel-Feil syndrome. To their knowledge, no other cases of this association have been reported in the literature. Arachnoid cysts should be part of the differential diagnosis in the presence of worsening myelopathic symptoms or pain in patients with Klippel-Feil syndrome.

Treatment of Syringomyelia Related to Nontraumatic Arachnoid Pathologies of the Spinal Canal

BACKGROUND:

Disturbances of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow are the commonest cause of syringomyelia. Spinal arachnopathies may lead to CSF flow obstructions but are difficult to diagnose. Consequently, associated syringomyelias are often categorized as idiopathic.

OBJECTIVE:

To present and analyze the diagnosis of and long-term outcomes in an observational study of patients with nontraumatic arachnopathies from 1991 to 2011.

METHODS:

A total of 288 patients (mean age, 47 ± 15 years; follow-up, 54 ± 46 months) were evaluated. Decompression with arachnolysis, untethering, and duraplasty for restoration of CSF flow was recommended to patients with neurological progression. Neurological examinations, magnetic resonance images, and follow-up data were evaluated. Individual symptoms were analyzed during the first postoperative year, and long-term outcomes were analyzed with Kaplan-Meier statistics to determine rates of progression-free survival.

RESULTS:

In total,189 patients either refused an operation or were managed conservatively for lack of progression. Among 79 unoperated patients with follow-up information available for up to 8 years, 2 patients deteriorated. Ninety-nine patients with progressive symptoms underwent 116 operations: 108 decompressions and 8 other surgeries. Three months postoperatively, 53% considered their status improved and 37% were unchanged. In the long term, surgery on arachnopathies limited to 2 spinal segments was followed by progression-free survival for 78% over 10 years, in contrast to 31% with extensive arachnopathies.

CONCLUSION:

Surgery on nontraumatic arachnopathies related to syringomyelia should be reserved for patients with progressive symptoms. Arachnolysis, untethering, and duraplasty provide good long-term results for focal arachnopathies. For extensive pathologies with a history of subarachnoid hemorrhage or meningitis, treatment remains a major challenge.

A rare anterior spinal epidural cyst mimicking Hirayama disease

INTRODUCTION

Hirayama disease is a rare focal motor neuron disorder that manifests as slowly progressive unilateral or bilateral hand weakness and atrophy.

METHODS

The case report of a young man who presented with the phenotype of Hirayama disease indicated an extensive anterior cervical epidural arachnoid cyst.

RESULTS

A 34-year-old man presented with a 5-year history of slowly progressive hand and forearm weakness and atrophy. Nerve conduction studies demonstrated low median and ulnar motor amplitudes, and EMG demonstrated fibrillation potentials and long-duration, high-amplitude motor unit potentials in C6-T4-innervated muscles. MRI demonstrated a longitudinally extensive anterior spinal epidural cyst extending from C2 to L1. The patient had improved hand strength after surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

Anterior cervical epidural spinal cysts should be considered in the differential diagnosis in patients who present with slowly progressive hand weakness.

Amelioration of caudal thoracic syringohydromyelia following surgical management of an adjacent arachnoid cyst

A nine-year-old male, neutered, pug was presented for investigation of progressive ambulatory paraparesis and pelvic limb ataxia of three months' duration. Magnetic resonance imaging was suggestive of caudal thoracic syringohydromyelia with an adjacent intradural arachnoid cyst. The cyst was marsupialised following dorsal laminectomy. Neurological status had improved 10 weeks following surgery when repeat magnetic resonance imaging revealed reduced spinal cord compression both as a result of resolution of the cyst and reduction in size of the syringohydromyelia. At 17 months following surgery, the dog showed further improvements in neurological status, exhibiting mild pelvic limb ataxia and proprioceptive deficits. Improved cerebrospinal fluid flow following surgery may have played a role in the improvement in both conditions. The presence of syringohydromyelia in this context does not preclude a favourable clinical outcome following surgical management.

Spinal Arachnoid Cyst as an Infrequent Cause of Spinal Cord Compression

Spinal arachnoid cysts are rare lesions that may produce symptoms by compressing the spinal cord or nerve roots. MRI is essential for diagnosing this entity. We retrospectively reviewed the medical charts, radiological examinations, and follow-up data of four adults with spinal arachnoid cysts diagnosed in our center over a two-year period (2007-2009). All cysts were located in the thoracic spine. Three were dorsolateral to the spinal cord and one was ventral. Most had multiple septa but one had a single septum. Cyst size varied greatly; one cyst extended through eight vertebral bodies. One patient treated expectantly died of cardiovascular problems one year after the cyst was diagnosed. The other three patients underwent laminectomy and cyst fenestration; two had clinical and imaging signs of relapse after surgery. One of the patients with a relapsed cyst worsened clinically, developing syringomyelia and requiring reintervention with shunting to the subarachnoid space. The outcome of the operation was good in the case of the single septum. Spinal arachnoid cyst is uncommon. Its diagnosis is complex because the symptoms are unspecific and the imaging findings are subtle. Spinal arachnoid cyst should be included in the differential diagnosis of chronic paraparesis. Imaging plays an essential role in the diagnosis, follow-up and management of spinal arachnoid cysts.

Identifying myelopathy caused by thoracic syringomyelia: a case report

Myelopathy is a form of neurological disease caused by compression of the spinal cord. Upper and lower quarter screens are commonly used in identifying myelopathy, although most of the screen components demonstrate poor or unstudied diagnostic value. The purpose of this case report is to describe the diagnostic process in detecting syringomyelia, an intramedullary lesion that may cause myelopathy. The patient was a 47-year-old female with a thoracic syrinx that was discovered by spinal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) following a complicated and delayed clinical diagnostic course. Following surgical intervention and a two-week inpatient rehabilitation stay, the patient was discharged using a rolling walker for ambulation and was performing most transfers with modified independence. A complicating pattern of signs and symptoms combined with a diagnostic process guided by poorly studied screen components demonstrates the diagnostic dilemma associated with identifying the cause of myelopathy within the thoracic spine. This also indicates the need for further investigation of individual and clustered components of the neurological screen to improve the ability to identify patients in need of complete imaging studies in a more timely fashion.

Congenital spinal intradural arachnoid cyst associated with intrathoracic meningocele in a child

Congenital spinal intradural arachnoid cyst associated with intrathoracic meningocele is very rare. We report a case in a 9-year-old Chinese boy who presented with a two-week history of progressive paraparesis and gait ataxia. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed that a dorsal intradural extramedullary cystic lesion extended from T1 to T5 and compressed the spinal cord. A left lateral intrathoracic meningocele pouch was found incidentally at the level of T1. The arachnoid cyst as well as meningocele was removed and the spinal cord compression was relieved. Arachnoid cyst was confirmed by histological examination. The patient recovered well postoperatively. This is the second report of such a case in the world according to the available literature. The take-home message for our case is that the surgical approach should be individualized, depending on the size and location.

Pulsatile wall movement of spinal arachnoid cyst deteriorates spinal cord symptoms: report of three cases

INTRODUCTION

Symptomatic spinal arachnoid cyst is a rare disease and the pathophysiology causing spinal cord symptoms has not been well clarified.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The authors report three symptomatic cases of spinal arachnoid cyst at the thoracic level. These patients, aged from 70 to 73 years, showed progressive gait disturbance for a few months before admission. Phase-contrast cine magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated significant compression at the rostral side of the cyst during the diastolic phase of the cardiac cycle. Intraoperative ultrasonography demonstrated that the maximum expansion of the cyst and compression of the dorsal spinal cord occurred when the cerebrospinal fluid moved rostrally during diastole. All patients showed good improvement of their symptoms after surgical removal of the arachnoid cyst.

CONCLUSION

This report proposes the pathophysiology that the pulsatile enlargement of the arachnoid cyst during diastolic cardiac phase can be an important factor for deterioration of spinal cord symptoms.

Surgical treatment of spinal intradural arachnoid cysts using endoscopy

Object

Spinal intradural arachnoid cysts are a rare cause of spinal cord compression. Since 2000, the authors have treated patients using 2- or 3-level hemilaminectomy or laminectomy followed by partial cyst wall resection as well as endoscopic inspection and fenestration of the cyst wall. They evaluated the usefulness and reliability of endoscopic treatment for this clinical entity based on long-term follow-up results.

Methods

Between 1997 and 2003, 11 patients (3 males and 8 females) with spinal intradural arachnoid cysts were treated, and the authors conducted a retrospective review of these cases. Before 2000, 5 patients were surgically treated without the use of endoscopic techniques. During that time, more than 4 levels of hemilaminectomy were performed to expose and remove cyst walls that extended longitudinally over the spinal axis. Beginning in 2000, endoscopy was used in all 6 cases. Up to 3 levels of hemilaminectomy or 2 levels of laminectomy were performed, and the cyst wall was resected through the bone window. An endoscope was inserted into the cyst cavity and moved in the cranial and caudal direction to fenestrate the cyst wall, resulting in communication of the cyst cavity with the subarachnoid space.

Results

Postoperatively, the neurological symptoms of all patients improved. During long-term follow-up (mean 114.8 months), none of the patients treated with or without endoscopy experienced recurrent cyst formation.

Conclusions

Endoscopic techniques allow neurosurgeons to treat spinal intradural arachnoid cysts less invasively than with standard surgical approaches. Although the number of cases reviewed in this report is small, the data suggest that the use of endoscopy can be an important option in the surgical treatment of spinal arachnoid cysts.

Iatrogenic intradural spinal arachnoid cyst as a complication of lumbar spine surgery

Iatrogenic spinal arachnoid cysts are rare, but have been described as a complication of spinal injection and lumbar puncture procedures. The authors describe 2 cases of iatrogenic spinal arachnoid cyst formation that occurred after incidental durotomy during lumbar spine surgery. In both cases, postoperative MR imaging revealed compression of the cauda equina by an intradural arachnoid cyst. Intradural exploration and fenestration of the arachnoid cyst was accomplished in each case. This entity should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a patient experiencing symptoms of neurological compression after a lumbar surgery complicated by incidental durotomy.

Spinal cord compression caused by idiopathic intradural arachnoid cysts of the spine: review of the literature and illustrated case

Intradural spinal arachnoid cysts with cord compression are rare. When becoming symptomatic they cause variable symptoms involving gait disturbance, paraparesis or tetraparesis and neuropathic pain, decreasing significantly the patients' life quality. The extension of such cysts averages 3.7 vertebral bodies. The diagnosis is clinical and radiological with the use of MRI, CT myelography or a combination of both. The best treatment option is complete removal of the cyst. However, even when paresis is regressing there is no good recovery from neuropathic pain. Laminectomy approach can cause postoperative complications especially when the cyst(s) expand(s) in more than one level. Alternatively, a cyst fenestration can be performed, including the levels of the maximal spinal cord compression. The clinical outcome is as good as after the cyst resection enabling the patient to walk again. The neuropathic pain may persist and require medication. A clinical case is presented, and the literature is reviewed. In the present case we report a patient with intradural arachnoid cysts extending from T6 to L2 and causing severe gait ataxia as well as neuropathic pain and hypaesthesia. The spinal-cord was compressed at T8 and T12. Surgical treatment with partial cyst resection in the compressed levels with an interlaminar approach brought similar results as complete resection. The patient was able to walk without help which was not possible before surgery. The cysts' extension is impressive as well as the minimal operative procedure.

Spinal extradural arachnoid cyst

BACKGROUND CONTEXT

Spinal extradural arachnoid cysts are uncommon expanding lesions. Idiopathic arachnoid cysts are not associated with trauma or other inflammatory insults. If they enlarge, they usually present with progressive signs and symptoms of neural compression.

PURPOSE

Total removal of the cyst and repair of the dural defect is the primary treatment for large thoracolumbar spinal extradural arachnoid cysts causing neurogenic claudication. Laminoplasty may prevent spinal deformities in long segmental involvement.

STUDY DESIGN

A clinical case was performed.

PATIENT SAMPLE

We report a case of 25-year-old man with 1-year history of progressive back pain radiating to both legs. His diagnosis was dorsal intraspinal extradural cystic lesion longing from the level of T11 to L2 on magnetic resonance imaging.

OUTCOME MEASURES

The patient's pain levels were noted as he reported. Physiologic outcome was assessed on pre- and postoperative motor and sensory examination.

METHODS

The patient underwent a T11-L2 laminotomy and radical cyst wall resection was performed. A small communication with the subarachnoid space was seen at the level of T12. It was sealed with tissue fibrinogen after repair with primary suture. Titanium miniplates were used for laminoplasty.

RESULTS

Follow-up magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated cyst resolution, and neurologic examination revealed no sensory and motor deficit.

CONCLUSION

Extradural arachnoid cysts are primarily treated with total removal of the cyst wall and closure of the dural defect. Surgical treatment is curative for this rare lesion.

Neonatal anterior cervical arachnoid cyst: case report and review of the literature

OBJECTIVE

Anterior cervical arachnoid cysts are rare in the pediatric population, with only 16 cases reported. We present the first case of an anterior cervical arachnoid cyst in a neonate and review the literature on pediatric cervical arachnoid cysts.

CLINICAL PRESENTATION

A 16-day-old baby girl with a history of myelomeningocele repair progressively developed symptoms of upper extremity weakness over the course of 2 weeks. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) demonstrated a compressive arachnoid cyst extending from C2 to C7.

INTERVENTION

The child was taken for posterior cervical laminoplasty and cyst fenestration. Intraoperatively, diffuse cervical arachnoiditis was noted. Rapid improvement in upper extremity paresis was noted within 24 h of surgery, and MRI confirmed decompression of the cyst. However, flaccid upper extremity paresis recurred within 2 weeks. MRI confirmed recurrence of the anterior cervical arachnoid cyst. The child was taken for a secondary fenestration and stenting of the cyst. Only partial improvement in arm function was noted by 1 month following reoperation.

CONCLUSION

Arachnoid cysts can be effectively treated with surgical fenestration, shunting, and complete or partial excision. Rapid identification and treatment results in improvement in myelopathic symptoms; however, the most efficacious treatment modality remains unknown. Of the 17 cases of anterior cervical arachnoid cysts reported in the literature, 11 (65%) have had either prior myelomeningocele repair or a history of spinal trauma. Anterior cervical arachnoid cysts should be considered in the differential diagnosis of acute onset myelopathy in the pediatric population especially in cases with a history of spinal trauma or myelomeningocele repair.

Chronic myelopathy due to a giant spinal arachnoid cyst: a complication of the intrathecal injection of phenol

✓Acquired intradural arachnoid cystic lesions of the spine have been associated with trauma, hemorrhage, parasitic infections, and other insults that cause inflammation and subarachnoid adhesions. The authors describe the case of a previously healthy 36-year-old woman who presented with a chronic myelopathy due to the progressive development of a giant spinal arachnoid cyst that resulted after the intrathecal injection of phenol for the management of chronic upper extremity pain. Neurological examination, spinal computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging were used for diagnostic and follow-up purposes. Even after the initial excision of the cyst, the patient remained symptomatic with minimal functional recovery.

Imagerie des lésions kystiques du canal rachidien chez l’adulte

Intrarachidian cystic lesions are frequent, with highly varied causes. They can be classified according to their location into intramedullary cystic lesions and extramedullary cystic lesions. In these two categories, they can then be regrouped according to the tissue from which they develop. MRI is the first-choice examination for the study of the intracanal contents and the differential diagnosis between the various lesions.

Differentiation between pediatric spinal arachnoid and epidermoid-dermoid cysts: is diffusion-weighted MRI useful?

BACKGROUND

Appropriate differentiation between epidermoid-dermoid and arachnoid cysts is important for patient management. MRI has had limitations in differentiating these two types of cysts, especially in the region of the spinal cord.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the role of diffusion-weighted (DW) MRI for differentiation between spinal arachnoid and epidermoid-dermoid cysts.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Four children underwent conventional and DW MRI. Turbo spin-echo imaging was used to obtain DW images.

RESULTS

On conventional MRI, low T1-W and high T2-W signal was present in all lesions. DW imaging showed restricted diffusion in two patients with epidermoid-dermoid cysts and no water restriction in two patients with arachnoid cysts. Three of four children had extramedullary lesions and one patient had an intramedullary lesion. Three children had surgery, two with epidermoid-dermoid cysts and one with arachnoid cyst. Diagnosis was confirmed by histopathology. One child with a thoracic arachnoid cyst had stable clinical imaging findings during a follow-up of 21 months.

CONCLUSION

On conventional MRI, epidermoid-dermoid and arachnoid cysts have similar signal characteristics. Initial experience with spine DW imaging shows promise in differentiating epidermoid-dermoid cysts from arachnoid cysts. Preoperative differentiation is important because it changes management and surgical approach.

Delayed Medullar Syndrome after Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Haemorrhage. A Case report of Cystic Arachnoiditis!

SUMMARY

We described a case of chronic spinal cystic arachnoiditis after subarachnoid haemorrhage in a 54-year-old woman with a ruptured vertebral artery aneurysm treated by coils. At three months she complained of lumbar pain.At twelve months she presented lower limbs paresthesia then a rapidly bilateral motor deficit. MR showed a spinal arachnoiditis with two compressive cysts. Surgical decompression was inefficient and after three months spinal compression symptoms worsened and MR signs were unchanged.

Unusual presentation of cervical spinal intramedullary arachnoid cyst in childhood: case report and review of the literature

The authors report a 7-year-old girl who presented with progressive quadriparesis which had started a month before admission. Magnetic resonance imaging of the spine revealed an intramedullary cystic lesion extending from C(2) to C(4). After performing a C(2-5) laminectomy, the cyst was drained and anatomically fenestrated with the subarachnoid space by a 1-cm vertical median myelotomy without using a stent. The histopathological findings revealed arachnoid cyst. In the first month after operation, the neurological deficits disappeared gradually, except for a slight left upper paresis. Cervical spinal intramedullary arachnoid cyst is extremely rare and should be considered in the differential diagnosis of intramedullary cystic lesions in childhood. Recovery is possible after subtotal excision and fenestration of the cyst to allow communication with the subarachnoid space even if neurological deficits are present for a long time.

New surgical approach for late complications from spinal cord injury

Background

The most frequent late complications in spinal cord injury result from arachnoiditis and consequent alterations in dynamics of cerebrospinal fluid flow. A surgical procedure carried out on patients with these alterations, resolved the various pathologies more efficiently in all cases.

Methods

From October 2000 to March 2006, 23 patients were selected for surgery: three showed signs of syringomyelia, three presented with microcystic lesions, three presented with arachnoid cysts in different locations but always confluent to the scar area, and 14 showed evidence of tethered cords. The surgery consisted of laminectomy at four levels, followed by dural opening in order to remove all the arachnoiditis at the level of the scar and to remove the altered arachnoid and its cysts, at least at two levels above and below the lesion. The dentate ligaments were cut at all exposed levels.

Results

The patients had no postoperative problems and not only retained all neurological functions but also showed neurological recovery. According to the motor and sensory scale of the American Spinal Injury Association, the recoveries were motor 20.6% (P < 0.001), touch 15.6% ((P < 0.001) and pinprick 14.4% (P < 0.001). These patients showed no signs of relapse at 4–66 month follow-up.

Conclusion

This alternative surgery resolved the pathologies provoking neurological deterioration by releasing the complete spinal cord at the level of the scar and the levels above and below it. It thus avoids myelotomies and the use of shunts and stents, which have a high long-term failure rate and consequent relapses. Nevertheless, this surgical procedure allows patients the chance to opt for any further treatment that may evolve in the future.

Compression médullaire par kystes arachnoïdiens

Spinal arachnoid cysts are considered to be rare entities, intradural locations are even less common. We report two cases of patients (two women aged 77- and 21-year-old) who presented spinal cord compression by intradural arachnoid cysts. For the second patient, repeated surgical procedures were necessary to improve the neurological status. After presenting the case reports, we expose the pathophysiological mechanisms and clinical features, and the surgical difficulties of treating this rare cause of spinal cord compression.

Fecal incontinence and spinal cord abnormalities in seven dogs

Seven dogs with fecal incontinence and abnormal gaits were evaluated. Fecal incontinence was characterized as defecation of normal stools without posturing. Duration of clinical signs prior to evaluation ranged from 5 months to 3 years. Five dogs had upper motor neuron (UMN) paraparesis, and 2 dogs had UMN tetraparesis. With magnetic resonance imaging, spinal cord abnormalities primarily involving the dorsal aspect of the spinal cord were identified in all dogs. Five dogs had focal abnormalities, and 2 dogs had diffuse abnormalities of the spinal cord. Of the dogs with focal spinal cord lesions, 4 had cystic spinal cord abnormalities and 1 had a meningioma. Surgery was performed on all dogs with focal lesions; 4 of the 5 dogs had resolution of fecal incontinence after surgery. Results in these dogs suggest that fecal incontinence can be associated with spinal cord abnormalities and, depending on the characteristics of the lesion, can resolve after surgical treatment of the abnormality.

Arachnoid cyst with associated arachnoiditis developing after subarachnoid hemorrhage

✓ The authors report the case of a 53-year-old woman in whom a T1–T2 spinal arachnoid cyst with associated arachnoiditis developed, compressing the thoracic spinal cord 1 year after the patient had suffered a Hunt and Hess Grade IV subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Development of spinal arachnoiditis with or without an arachnoid cyst is a rare complication of aneurysmal SAH. Risk factors may include posterior circulation aneurysms, the extent and severity of the hemorrhage, and the need for cerebrospinal fluid diversion. Surgical drainage, shunt placement, or cyst excision, when possible, is the mainstay of treatment.

Spinal intradural juxtamedullary cysts in the adult: surgical management and outcome

OBJECTIVE

Intradural nonneoplastic cysts compressing the spinal cord are rare lesions. We retrospectively analyzed a series of patients harboring this entity with regard to clinical and radiological features, surgical management, and follow-up results.

METHODS

In a retrospective study, we reviewed the medical charts, radiological investigations, and follow-up data of 11 women and 10 men (mean age, 43.6 yr) with intradural juxtamedullary spinal cysts, which were consecutively treated microsurgically at our institutions between January 1995 and January 2003. All lesions were approached via a laminectomy, hemilaminectomy, or laminoplasty at the corresponding vertebral levels and histopathologically verified. The patients were routinely scheduled for clinical follow-up 2 and 6 months after surgery. Baseline postoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was ordered 6 months after surgery. Thereafter, follow-up was performed at 1-year intervals, with neurological examination and MRI.

RESULTS

According to presenting symptomatology, two main patient groups could be differentiated: one group with a myelopathic syndrome (10 patients) and another group with a predominant radicular pain syndrome (8 patients). Histopathological examination revealed 16 arachnoid cysts, 4 neuroepithelial cysts, and 1 cervical nerve root cyst. Most arachnoid cysts (12 cases) were located on the dorsal aspect of the thoracic spinal cord. The mean craniocaudal extension of these cysts was 3.7 vertebral levels, and complete resection was performed. In four patients, the arachnoid cyst was situated ventral to the spinal cord and involved up to 17 vertebral levels. These patients had a history of major spinal trauma, and the cyst was generously fenestrated at its greatest circumference as depicted on preoperative MRI scans. The four neuroepithelial cysts and the cervical nerve root cyst were located on the ventral or ventrolateral aspect of the spinal cord, and their maximum sagittal extension was two spinal vertebral levels. Symptoms in all but two patients demonstrated major improvement; in particular, radiating pain disappeared immediately after surgery. There was no cyst recurrence on MRI after a mean follow-up period of 3.2 years.

CONCLUSION

Intradural cysts should be considered in the differential diagnosis of lesions causing myelopathy and/or a radicular pain syndrome. Microsurgical resection or generous fenestration in cysts with large craniocaudal extensions effectively ameliorated patients' symptomatology. A description of the first documented case of a surgically treated intradural cervical nerve root cyst is provided.

Benign intradural extramedullary masses in children of northern India

Twenty-five children with benign intradural extramedullary tumors/lesions were retrospectively analyzed to see the frequency of different histotypes in this location and their variation from the Western world. The duration of symptoms, clinical profile and surgical outcome of these cases were evaluated. The age of children ranged from 1.5 to 18 years, with a mean age of 7.5 years. Thirteen amongst them were male. Follow-up ranged from 3 months to 5 years with a mean of 19 months. McCormick functional grading was used retrospectively to find out the functional outcome in these children. Sixty-eight percent of these cases presented with functional grade IV or V. The mean duration from the appearance of the first symptoms to admission to our hospital in these children was 13 months. Improvement in the functional grade following surgical excision was noted amongst all, except one, who presented with schwannoma, and did not improve from grade III even after a 14-month follow-up. Reoperation/two-staged operation was required in 3 children. The following conclusions were drawn from this study: (1) approximately half (48%) of intradural extramedullary benign tumors are nerve sheath tumors, i.e. neurofibromas, neurilemomas and schwannomas. Giant neurofibromas with giant extraforaminal extension may rarely manifest with a large extraspinal mass; (2) meningioma is an infrequent tumor in this location; (3) developmental cystic dysraphic lesions (neurenteric cyst, arachnoid cysts), unassociated with the stigmata of spinal dysraphism, are significantly more frequent (28%) than reported in the literature; (4) the possibility of infective lesions (granuloma, abscess) causing compressive features cannot be denied even in intradural extramedullary tumors; (5) long-standing lesions, with a long segment involvement, also have a good outcome following a good microsurgical excision, and (6) more than half of the children (68%) present with a severe neurological compromise, either because of ignorance and poor education or due to the scanty diagnostic facilities available at the peripheral hospitals of the developing milieu.

Imaging of the Lumbar Spine Neoplasms

The most common lumbar spine tumors are metastatic disease, myeloma, and hemangioma. Primary osseous lesions of the lumbar spine are unusual. When encountered, they often exhibit characteristic imaging properties, aiding the radiologist to provide a short list of differential diagnoses. We provide a discussion of imaging appearance of lumbar spine neoplasms. Emphasis of this review is on osseous lesions. Few common neurogenic intradural, extraaxial lesions are also discussed.

L’arachnoïdite médullaire adhésive : une complication tardive de l’analgésie péridurale obstétricale

A 30-year-old woman, G3P3, was progressively affected by spastic paraparesis with loss of sensitivity and urinary incontinence due to medullar adhesive arachnoiditis occurring five months after an epidural analgesia for repeat cesarean section. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a voluminous subarachnoid cyst and a septated syringomyelic cavitation attributed to metabisulfite, the preservative of epinephrine and to multiple lidocaine injections through the catheter in the postoperative period. Despite two decompressive neurosurgical operations, the neurological state of the patient continues to worsen.