Supratentorial Neurenteric Cysts: Case Series and Review of Pathology, Imaging, and Clinical Management

Abstract

Neurenteric cysts are rare congenital lesions along the neuroaxis, typically found in the spine, and rarely intracranially. Here, we present 3 patients who presented to our institution during a 6-year period with supratentorial intracranial neurenteric cysts and conduct a comprehensive review of the literature to describe the salient pathology, radiologic features, and clinical issues regarding these lesions. Three patients were treated surgically for supratentorial neurenteric cysts. One patient presented in extremis, whereas the others were treated electively. Each patient presented with significantly different signs and symptoms and unique radiologic findings. All patients were neurologically intact after surgery. Neurenteric cysts present with a variety of signs and symptoms. Given the increased use of neuroimaging, supratentorial neurenteric cysts may be encountered more frequently and are important to include on the differential diagnosis and managed accordingly. Postoperative seizures occur in more than 20%, even in patients who had no preoperative seizures. Surgery can be performed safely with good neurologic outcomes.