Abstract

Background:Neurenteric cysts are benign tumors of the central nervous system (CNS) that represent 0.3% to 0.5% of all spinal cord tumors. They are usually extramedullary and found in the lower cervical and thoracic spine. Only 12.2% of neurenteric cysts are documented to be intramedullary.Case Description:The authors report a case of a 35-year-old female that presented with progressive weakness and loss of coordination in her legs. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed an intramedullary cystic lesion in the thoracolumbar region and a low-lying conus medullaris suggesting tethered cord. The patient was taken to the operating room for detethering of her spinal cord and resection of the lesion. Pathologic examination of the tissue confirmed the diagnosis of a neurenteric cyst.Conclusion:A search of the literature since the advent of MRI showed 29 published cases of intramedullary neurentic cysts. Of the 24 published cases with a follow-up MRI, the average recurrence rate was 25% with a mean follow up of 51 months.

Highlights

  • ConclusionA search of the literature since the advent of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed 29 published cases of intramedullary neurentic cysts

  • Neurenteric cysts, known as enterogenous cysts or endodermal cysts, are benign tumors of the central nervous system (CNS) which are thought to represent0.3% to 1.3% of all spinal cord tumors.[15,23] They are the result of inappropriate partitioning of the embryonic notocordal plate and presumptive endoderm during the third week of human development.[23]

  • The cysts are intradural/extramedullary (78.6%) and usually arise from the cervical, cervicothoraric, and thoracic spine (73.6%).[6]. This case is unique because the patient presented at the age of 35 with an intramedullary neurenteric cyst in the thoracolumbar spine and a tethered spinal cord

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Summary

Conclusion

A search of the literature since the advent of MRI showed 29 published cases of intramedullary neurentic cysts. Of the 24 published cases with a follow-up. MRI, the average recurrence rate was 25% with a mean follow up of 51 months. Quick Response Code: Key Words: Intramedullary, neurenteric cyst, tethered spinal cord

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