Spinal extradural arachnoid cysts

Abolfazl Rahimizadeh,Majid Shariati,Shaghayegh Rahimizadeh,Enayatolah Abbasnejad,Eidi Abdolkhani,Mahmud Kaghazchi

doi:10.1590/s1808-18512013000200004

Abolfazl Rahimizadeh, Majid Shariati + Show 4 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1590/s1808-18512013000200004

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Journal: Coluna/Columna	Publication Date: Jan 1, 2013
Citations: 2	License type: cc-by

Affiliation: Iran University of Medical Sciences

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Extradural arachnoid cysts (EACs) are rare causes of spinal cord compression and cauda equina. These benign lesions appear in the literature mainly as single case reports. In this article, we present the largest series found in literature, with four new cases of spinal extradural arachnoid cysts. The characteristic imaging features, details of surgical steps and strategies to prevent postoperative kyphosis in this cystic pathology will be discussed.

Highlights

Spinal extradural arachnoid cysts are an uncommon entity and symptomatic cysts are rare
Extradural spinal arachnoid cysts are rare expanding lesions mostly located in the posterolateral aspect of the thoracic or thoracolumbar region displacing the spinal cord or cauda equina anteriorly.[1,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,24,29,30,31]
Spinal extradural arachnoid cysts might rarely develop after blunt or penetrating traumas, but non-traumatic cysts are generally believed to be congenital.[9,12]

Summary

Introduction

Spinal extradural arachnoid cysts are an uncommon entity and symptomatic cysts are rare. Case 2: A16-year-old girl with 6 month history of progressive weakness of the lower extremity and inability to walk properly in the last one month was referred to our hospital On examination, she had spastic paraparesis with a sensory level of T8 down to the feet. The mass extending from T5 to T8 showed epidural fat capping on the poles in T1-weighted images These findings were compatible with extradural arachnoid cyst.(Figure 2A). Thoracic spine MRI conducted in another institute showed a large mass hypointense in T1 and hyperintense in T2 compatible with CSF containing cyst from seventh thoracic vertebrae to ninth (Figure 3A). T2-weighted sagittal MR image showing a cystic mass posterior to the cord and locating in lower thoracic region.

Discussion

CONCLUSION