Radiological characteristics of spinal hemangioblastomas in von Hippel Lindau disease as guidance in clinical interventions

Hemangioblastomas in the central nervous system (CNS) are the most common manifestation of Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease. Because the growth rate of hemangioblastomas is unpredictable, regular follow-up is mandatory, focusing on clinical symptoms and imaging of the CNS. However, clinical symptoms may be subtle and non-specific, and data about the relationship between the radiological findings and clinical symptoms are sparse.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study aims to evaluate if and how findings of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) regarding spinal hemangioblastomas are associated with symptoms of VHL disease, with special attention to peritumoral edema and spinal cysts.

METHODS

Serial spinal MRI scans of 43 genetically or clinically established VHL patients with at least two years of follow-up were re-evaluated to examine the volume, growth rate, and location of spinal hemangioblastomas and the presence, size, and growth rate of peritumoral edema and cysts. Findings were compared with clinical symptoms using Fisher's exact test.

RESULTS

We observed a total of 77 spinal hemangioblastomas in 28 patients. Eight of the 28 patients showed peritumoral edema and spinal cysts, and one patient showed peritumoral edema without cyst formation; six of these nine patients showed clinical symptoms. Both peritumoral edema and spinal cysts were associated with clinical symptoms (P=0.023 and P=0.011, respectively).

CONCLUSION

The presence of peritumoral edema and/or spinal cysts shown on MRI in VHL-patients with spinal hemangioblastomas is associated with symptoms in more than half of the patients and may alert the clinician to intensify clinical and radiological surveillance.

Isolated lumbar intradural tailgut cyst: A case report and review of the literature

Tailgut cysts are rare developmental cysts arising from remnants of the embryological postnatal gut. Despite being frequently located in the presacral space, isolated cases of aberrant locations have been reported, including, perirenal, perianal, and subcutaneous sites, with only two cases of subdural tailgut cysts reported to date. The clinical course is often marked by linear growth, causing compression of the adjacent structures, however malignant transformation with carcinomatous features has been previously described. Hereby the authors describe a case of an intradural extramedullary tailgut cyst in a 33-year-old man presenting with progressive low back pain and signs of autonomic dysfunction, including urinary retention and bowel incontinence. Whole-spine MRI revealed an intrathecal cystic lesion located at L2-L3 level exhibiting hyperintensity on T2-weighted images not enhancing when contrast was administered. Laminectomy followed by tumor excision was performed and pathological analysis confirmed the diagnosis of tailgut cyst.

Waste not, want not: Report of a completely calcified C1-C2 juxtafacet cyst and literature review

Background

Calcified juxtafacet cysts in the cervical spine are extremely rate. Such symptomatic cysts commonly cause neck pain, radiculopathy, or even myelopathy. MR and CT studies typically document cord/ root compression. On occasion, some of these cysts will spontaneously regress, while many others may warrant surgical removal.

Case Description

A 70-year-old male presented with a 2-year history of a progressive tetraparesis. The preoperative MR/CT studies showed a C1-C2 left extradural mass occupying more than half of the spinal canal. On MR, it was homogeneously hypointense on both T1- and T2-weighted images, while the CT showed a calcified cyst. Intraoperative and histopathological findings documented a calcified cervical juxtafacet cyst (i.e. ganglion subtype) that was fully excised without sequelae.

Conclusion

C1-C2 juxtafacet cervical cyst should be considered when a patient presents with myelopathy due to a calcified MR/CT documented paraspinal lesion contributing to significant cervical cord/root compression.

Spinal Neurenteric Cyst in Association with Klippel-Feil Syndrome: Case Report and Literature Review

BACKGROUND

Spinal neurenteric cysts, also known as endodermal or enterogenous cysts, are rare epithelium-lined structures of presumed endodermal origin. Congenital vertebral anomalies are frequently seen in patients with neurenteric cysts, most typically anterior spina bifida, butterfly vertebrae, and hemivertebrae. However, few series of intraspinal neurenteric cysts accompanied by Klippel-Feil syndrome have been reported previously.

CASE DESCRIPTION

Our purpose is to present the clinical, radiological, and histological results of a 29-year-old patient with a spinal neurenteric cyst associated with Klippel-Feil syndrome and to review previous reported cases of neurenteric cysts associated with Klippel-Feil syndrome. In our patient, cervical radiography demonstrated C5-T1 vertebral fusion and magnetic resonance imaging revealed a large intradural cystic mass. The cystic lesion was removed successfully, and it was histopathologically diagnosed as a neurenteric cyst.

CONCLUSION

Neurenteric cysts should always be considered in the differential diagnosis of an intraspinal cystic mass seen in the setting of vertebral anomalies.

Cervical perineural cyst masquerading as a cervical spinal tumor

Tarlov (perineural) cysts of the nerve roots are common and usually incidental findings during magnetic resonance imaging of the lumbosacral spine. There are only a few case reports where cervical symptomatic perineural cysts have been described in the literature. We report such a case where a high cervical perineural cyst was masquerading as a cervical spinal tumor.

Dural dissection cyst: a more accurate term for extradural meningeal cyst

AIMS

Spinal extradural meningeal cyst (EMC) aetiology remains unclear. Based on our in-depth analysis of EMC clinical characters, we propose the alternative term 'dural dissection cyst' (DDC), which is more consistent with its aetiology and pathological manifestations.

METHODS

We examined the clinical, imaging and operative findings of four patients with spinal EMC (type I A) and analysed the aetiology and treatment of the cyst.

RESULTS

Spinal DDC was observed between T10 and L3 in our series. Patients presented with low back pain, lower extremity numbness and weakness, and segmental muscle atrophy. Small clefts were found on the inner wall of all cysts. Microscopic suture of the cleft successfully improved patient's symptoms and neurological deficits.

CONCLUSIONS

Spinal EMC (type I A) is characterized by dural dissection, so the term DDC can best reflect its aetiology. Because it is a dissection cyst, the most reasonable treatment is to suture the fistula.