CERVICAL SPINE PNEUMATOCYST: CASE REPORT AND REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE

Abstract

Introduction: Cervical pneumatocyst is an important entity that has been rarely reported in the literature. Less than 20 cases have been reported in the English literature. This entity is an important differential consideration when evaluating cervical spine lesions. The purpose of our study is to characterize the imaging features of cervical pneumatocysts. Methods: We report a case of a cervical pneumatocyst in a 51-year-old female patient, which mimicked a sclerotic lesion on magnetic resonance evaluation. Additionally, a dedicated literature review was performed evaluating the location, signal alterations, and imaging characteristics of 16 cervical pneumatocysts. Results: Fifteen of the sixteen cases in the cervical spine were found in the vertebral body. One case was identified in the lateral mass of the cervical spine. Two pneumatocysts were identified in C4, eight in C5, four in C6, and one in C7. Nine of the sixteen cases demonstrated disruption of the endplate with likely communication with either the spinal canal or intravertebral disc, with the remaining seven cases appearing isolated from the vertebral body. Conclusions: Cervical pneumatocysts are benign lesions that do not require urgent treatment. Based on their imaging appearance alone, they can be differentiated from more serious lesions such as neoplasms or osteomyelitis.