Thoracic spinal intradural arachnoid cyst: report of two cases and review of literature

ABSTRACTSpinal arachnoid cysts are uncommon benign lesions of spine axis and most commonly present as compressive myelopathy. Intramedullary arachnoid cyst is uncommonly seen, hence, not much discussed in literature. Due to rarity of this entity, many questions are yet to be answered and should be addressed properly, particularly related to etiopathogenesis, accustomed course, behavior, differential diagnosis, and the best treatment modality. We report the clinicopathological profile of thoracic intramedullary arachnoid cysts in two adult patients, and present a detailed review of available literature on the spinal intramedullary arachnoid cyst. Most of the literature concerning with intramedullary arachnoid cysts are in the form of case reports from pediatrics population. As far to the best of our knowledge, only a few cases excluding our two were found in both pediatrics and adult population.

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Spinal intradural arachnoid cyst associated with diastematomyelia in an adult: a case report and review of literature

British Journal of Neurosurgery ◽

10.1080/02688697.2019.1666087 ◽

2019 ◽

pp. 1-3

Author(s):

Amey P. Patankar

Keyword(s):

Case Report ◽

Arachnoid Cyst ◽

Review Of Literature

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A Case of Intradural Arachnoid Cyst with Thoracic Spinal Cord Compression.

Orthopedics & Traumatology ◽

10.5035/nishiseisai.41.717 ◽

1992 ◽

Vol 41 (2) ◽

pp. 717-719

Author(s):

Atsushi Funahashi ◽

Masateru Ijichi ◽

Junji Awakuni ◽

Yuji Tomida ◽

Masataka Goto

Keyword(s):

Spinal Cord ◽

Arachnoid Cyst ◽

Spinal Cord Compression ◽

Cord Compression ◽

Thoracic Spinal Cord ◽

Thoracic Spinal

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Myelographic and MRI appearances of a thoracic spinal extradural arachnoid cyst of the spine with extra-and intraspinal extension

Neuroradiology ◽

10.1007/bf00596513 ◽

1992 ◽

Vol 34 (5) ◽

pp. 444-446 ◽

Cited By ~ 22

Author(s):

S. Congia ◽

M. Coraddu ◽

S. Tronci ◽

G. Nurchi ◽

A. Fiaschi

Keyword(s):

Arachnoid Cyst ◽

Thoracic Spinal ◽

Intraspinal Extension ◽

Extradural Arachnoid Cyst

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Paraplegia after a Routine Lumbar Laminectomy: Report of a Rare Complication and Successful Management

Neurosurgery ◽

10.1227/00006123-199010000-00024 ◽

1990 ◽

Vol 27 (4) ◽

pp. 638-640 ◽

Cited By ~ 26

Author(s):

Patrick L. Valls ◽

Gill L. Naul ◽

Steven L. Kanter

Keyword(s):

Magnetic Resonance Imaging ◽

Computed Tomography ◽

Spinal Cord ◽

Cerebrospinal Fluid ◽

Magnetic Resonance ◽

Arachnoid Cyst ◽

Spinal Canal ◽

Rare Complication ◽

Resonance Imaging ◽

Thoracic Spinal

Abstract Arachnoid cysts of the spinal canal are relatively common lesions that may be either intra- or extradural. These cysts are usually asymptomatic but may produce symptoms by compressing the spinal cord or nerve roots. We report a case in which an intradural thoracic arachnoid cyst became symptomatic after a routine decompressive lumbar laminectomy for spinal stenosis. Myelography revealed no abnormality, although magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography after myelography demonstrated a mass within the posterior aspect of the thoracic spinal canal associated with anterior displacement and compression of the spinal cord. A change in the flow dynamics of the cerebrospinal fluid probably allowed the development of spinal cord compression due to one of the following: expansion of the cyst, decreased cerebrospinal fluid buffer between the cord and the cyst, or epidural venous engorgement. A concomitant and more cephalad lesion such as an arachnoid cyst should be considered when myelopathic complications arise after lumbar surgery. Magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography after myelography are useful to demonstrate the additional pathological processes.

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