Intradural Arachnoid Cyst Research Articles

Minimally invasive management of a spinal arachnoid cyst with ultrasound-assisted catheter placement: illustrative case.

Spinal arachnoid cysts are cerebrospinal fluid-filled sacs that are frequently located within the thoracic spine and can lead to symptoms due to direct compression of the thoracic spinal cord. These lesions are typically treated with laminectomy and fenestration of the cyst, with or without shunting. However, with recurrence, treatment is often more complex and sometimes requires re-exposure and fenestration or shunting. Here, the authors describe a 57-year-old female with a thoracic intradural arachnoid cyst that recurred despite extensive and initially successful fenestration. Given the failure of fenestration, the authors instead attempted to place a cystoperitoneal shunt. Given how extensive her laminectomy was, the authors elected to perform the procedure under ultrasonic guidance to avoid the large incision required for open shunt placement. The procedure was successful, with gradual improvement in the size of the arachnoid cyst as well as symptomatic improvement. Here, the authors present a unique minimally invasive technique to treat recurrent spinal arachnoid cysts. They successfully demonstrated the feasibility and safety of this approach in shunting the cyst while avoiding the extensive re-exposure often required in such complex cases. https://thejns.org/doi/10.3171/CASE24461.

Letter: Spinal Intradural Arachnoid Cysts in Adults: An Institutional Experience and Literature Review.

Letter: Spinal Intradural Arachnoid Cysts in Adults: An Institutional Experience and Literature Review.

In Reply: Spinal Intradural Arachnoid Cysts in Adults: An Institutional Experience and Literature Review.

In Reply: Spinal Intradural Arachnoid Cysts in Adults: An Institutional Experience and Literature Review.

Spinal Arachnoid Cysts-Our Experience.

Introduction Spinal arachnoid cysts are rare. Most of these lesions are located in the thoracic and thoracolumbar regions. Magnetic resonance imaging is a valuable tool for understanding their location and provides important information regarding their origin and expansion. The aim of our study was to evaluate the demographics, presentations, surgical management, and outcome of a spinal arachnoid cyst. Materials and Methods All the patients from January 2003 to December 2021 who were symptomatic for spinal arachnoid cysts were taken for study. A retrospective analysis was performed. Radiological investigations were performed, and patients were graded according to the Nabors classification. Operative results were graded according to surgical technique. Results The study included 22 patients, 11 female and 11 male patients, with a male-to-female ratio of approximately 1:1. The mean age of presentation was 34.7 years (4-60 years). Of 22 patients, 15 have intradural arachnoid cysts, 7 have an intradural extramedullary arachnoid cyst, and 8 have an intramedullary arachnoid cyst. Symptoms varied from weakness in the lower limbs (50%), quadriparesis and spasticity (32%), bladder/bowel incontinence (14%), and pain (10%). Out of 22 patients, complete cyst excision was performed in 17 patients, marsupialization in 4 patients, and cystic-subarachnoid shunt in one patient. Weakness and spasticity gradually recovered over a period of time. At 1-year follow-up, all the patients had complete improvement in their weakness, spasticity, and bladder functions. No recurrence of the cyst was seen at 1-year follow-up. Conclusion Spinal arachnoid cysts are very rare in the spinal cord. Most of the lesions are located in the thoracic and thoracolumbar regions. Asymptomatic cyst requires counseling and conservative management, whereas symptomatic cyst, if operated on with surgical expertise, recurrence and complications are very low. The best surgical technique for operating these spinal arachnoid cysts is still under question, but symptom improvement is seen in all operative procedures.

Multiple Symptomatic Spinal Intradural Arachnoid Cysts: A Case Report.

A spinal arachnoid cyst is a rare entity representing only 1 to 3% of spinal canal lesions. Very few of them are reported to be symptomatic. Moreover, occurrence in multiples is even rarer. Extradural type is more common than intradural. In the spine, it is rare in the sacral region. Other common pathologies, such as a dermoid or epidermoid cyst, are often considered at presentation. Even magnetic resonance imaging can miss the diagnosis sometimes. We report a case with symptoms of paraparesis and incontinence at presentation, initially misdiagnosed as a dermoid cyst, later found to be multiple intradural arachnoid cysts located in the sacral region. Spinal arachnoid cysts may cause debilitating symptoms. The disease is completely curable if the detection and classification are early as in our case.

Intradural Spinal Arachnoid Cysts in Children: A Collective Experience of 2 Centers

Pediatric intradural spinal arachnoid cysts are rare and can cause spinal cord or nerve root compression. Spinal arachnoid cysts can cause pain, motor/sensory neurological impairments, gait disturbances, spasticity, and bladder problems depending on their location. This study discusses the clinical aspects, management, surgical nuances, and postoperative clinical outcomes of symptomatic congenital intradural spinal arachnoid cysts, which are rarely seen in the pediatric population. Our study involves a retrospective evaluation of 8 pediatric patients who underwent surgery for spinal intradural arachnoid cysts at the Department of Neurosurgery, Kocaeli University School of Medicine, and the Department of Neurosurgery, Selros University School of Medicine. The demographic data of all patients, preoperative/postoperative clinical findings, surgical procedures, surgical complications, and radiological imaging were evaluated. The average age of the patients was 8.7 uated. surgicrange:1-17).The female to male ratio was 4:4. The most common complaint was weakness in the lower extremities (87.5%). Urinary problems (50%) and sensory disturbances (50%) were less frequently observed. All patients had dorsal localization of the cysts. Cyst excision was performed in 7 out of 8 patients, and cyst fenestration was performed in 1 patient. Postoperatively, 7 patients showed complete symptom resolution, while one patient had partial improvement. The success of surgical treatment depends on cyst location, neural tissue compression, and duration of symptoms. Complete removal or fenestration is determined by cyst location and accessibility. Intracystic shunts may be used in certain cases. Timely diagnosis and surgical intervention are crucial for improving neurological function in these rare cases.

Systematic Review of Surgical Management of Spinal Intradural Arachnoid Cysts

Spinal intradural arachnoid cysts (SIACs) are rare pathological lesions that can arise via outpouchings of the arachnoid layer in the spinal canal that can result in neurological deficits. We performed a systematic literature review regarding the current surgical techniques used in the management of SIACs and discussed the prevailing hypotheses surrounding the etiology of SIACs. A systematic search of the literature was performed in December 2020 using EMBASE and MEDLINE for reports regarding the surgical management of SIACs. Data were collected regarding the demographics of the patients, classification system used, presence or absence of syrinxes, preoperative imaging modality, surgical approach and extent of resection, and postoperative outcomes and follow-up. Our search yielded 19 reports for inclusion in the present study. The 19 studies included a total of 414 cases, with an overall male/female ratio of 0.93:1. The most common site for the SIACs was the thoracic spinal cord at 77.5%. The symptoms were very similar across the 19 studies. Of the 19 studies, 15 had used resection to manage the SIACs, 10 had used fenestration or marsupialization, and 4 had used cystoarachnoid or cystoperitoneal shunts. SIACs are rare and debilitating spinal pathological lesions, with the etiology of primary SIACs still not fully elucidated. Multiple surgical approaches have been effective, with the optimal operative strategy largely dependent on the individual patient and cyst factors on a case-by-case basis.

Surgical management and outcomes in spinal intradural arachnoid cysts: the experience from two tertiary neurosurgical centres.

Evaluation of the presentation and outcomes of different surgical treatment approaches for spinal intradural arachnoid cysts (SIAC). Cases were identified from electronic records of two major neurosurgical centres in London over the last 10years (October 2009-October 2019) that have been surgically treated in both institutions. Clinical findings, surgical technique, and recurrence by procedure were statistically analysed. Statistical analysis was performed with STATA 13.1 Software. A total of 42 patients with SIAC were identified for this study with a mean age at the time of surgery of 53.6years and a male:female ratio of 8:13. There were 31 patients with primary SIACs and 11 with secondary SIACs. The most common presenting symptom was paraesthesia (n = 27). The most common location of the cyst was in the thoracic region (n = 33). Syrinx was present in 26.2% of SIACs (n = 11). Resection was associated with significantly better postoperative pain compared to other surgical techniques (p = 0.01), significantly poorer postoperative urinary function (p = 0.029), and lower rates of sensory recovery in patients who presented preoperatively with sensory deficit (p = 0.041). No significant difference was seen in symptomatic outcomes between patients with primary and secondary SIACs. Resection and drainage are both effective methods of managing SIACs. In this observational study, resection was associated with significantly reduced pain postoperatively when compared with drainage, however also with significantly less improvement in postoperative urinary function. Therefore, resection should be the gold standard management option for SIACs, with drainage as an option where resection is unsafe, and drainage should also be considered in patients presenting with urinary dysfunction.

Surgical outcome of primary intradural spinal arachnoid cysts: a series of 10 cases

BackgroundPrimary intradural spinal arachnoid cysts are rare pathologies of uncertain etiology and variable presentation from no symptoms to myelopathy or radiculopathy according to cord or root compression. MRI with diffusion and contrast differentiates them from many pathologies. There is a lot of debate regarding when to treat and how to treat such rare pathologies.ObjectiveWe present a series of 10 primary intradural arachnoid cysts and evaluate outcome after surgery.MethodsThis retrospective study includes patients having primary intradural spinal arachnoid cysts operated in two tertiary care centers from October 2012 till October 2019. Symptomatic cysts were subjected to microsurgical resection or outer wall excision and inner wall marsupialization under neurophysiological monitoring. The Japanese Orthopedic Association Score was used for clinical evaluation while MRI with contrast and diffusion was used for radiological evaluation before and after surgery.ResultsThis series included 10 patients, 4 males and 6 females, with mean age of 40 years. Pain was the most common presentation. The most common location was dorsal thoracic region. Total excision was achieved in 2 cases and marsupialization in 8 cases.All symptoms improved either completely or partially after surgery. No neurological deterioration or recurrence was reported during the follow-up period in this series.ConclusionTreatment of symptomatic primary intradural spinal arachnoid cysts should be microsurgical resection, when the cyst is adherent to the cord, microscopic fenestration can be safe and effective.

Intradural Spinal Arachnoid Cyst in a Pediatric Patient: A Case Report

AbstractThe present case reports a 13-year-old patient with an intradural arachnoid cyst, which manifested itself with a sudden loss of strength and sensitivity in the lower and upper limbs and a severe pain in the cervical and thoracic region. On examination, a lesion displayed as an intradural hematoma; however, a laminotomy was performed and it was realized that the lesion was an arachnoid spinal cyst of the cervical-dorsal spine.

Spinal intradural arachnoid cysts - A multicentre case series assessing management and outcomes

Spinal intradural arachnoid cysts - A multicentre case series assessing management and outcomes

Posttraumatic Arachnoid Cyst in the Thoracic Spine with Medullary Compression: Case Report.

Arachnoid cysts are rare; they can occur at all levels of the dural sac, and can have a congenital, traumatic, iatrogenic or inflammatory origin. In the present article, we report a patient presenting a compressive thoracic myelopathy due to an unusual intradural arachnoid cyst with posttraumatic manifestation and its resolution, in addition to a literature review on the subject. These cysts mainly occur at the thoracic spine, followed by the lumbar, lumbosacral and thoracolumbar spines. Traumatic cysts are caused by an injury to the inner dural layer. These lesions produce neurological deficits through a mass effect on the spinal cord. Concomitant compressive myelopathy is even rarer. In case of myelopathy, cyst resection or drainage is the treatment of choice, and it must be performed immediately. Although rare, arachnoid cysts can be a complication of spine fractures; as such, orthopedists and neurosurgeons, who commonly see these injuries, must be prepared for this unusual situation.

Intradural symptomatic arachnoid cyst formation following non-instrumented lumbar decompression

Purpose Intradural arachnoid cyst is a rare complication of lumbar puncture, post-trauma or post-intraoperative durotomies. We aim to estimate the incidence of early intradural arachnoid cyst radiologically in non-instrumented posterior lumbar decompression among symptomatic patients, and establish clinical correlation. Materials and methods Patients who underwent lumbar decompression without instrumentation at a tertiary spinal service between December 2014 and January 2018 were identified. When MRI scans were performed post-operatively within 14 days, imaging, medical and operative records were reviewed by two consultant neuroradiologists. Results 488 operations were included. 46 operations were followed by an early MRI scan. 59% were requested to investigate new or ongoing pain. Ten demonstrated an intradural arachnoid cyst – seven had no documented durotomy. Eight were primary operations, three were emergency operations. Statistically, we have not identified durotomy, primary-vs-revision surgery, and elective-vs-emergency surgery as risk factors. Two patients required revision operations, of these, one had a repeat post-operative scan, where the cyst resolved following further decompression at the index level, without intradural exploration. Conclusions Intradural arachnoid cyst may complicate posterior lumbar decompression. To our knowledge, this is the first study to assess its incidence as an early post-operative radiological finding, which is likely to be commoner than we recognise. It may be a cause of persisting post-operative pain.

Neurocutaneous melanosis concurrent with a posterior cranial fossa cyst (Dandy–Walker complex) and an intradural arachnoid cyst of the spinal canal

The paper describes a female patient with neurocutaneous melanosis (NCM) concurrent with Dandy–Walker malformation and a spinal arachnoid cyst, who has been treated in the A.Ya. Kozhevnikov Clinic of Nervous System Diseases. Over the course of one year, the patient had progressive neurological symptoms as central lower paraparesis and coordination disorders; her medical treatment was ineffective. Neuroimaging revealed Dandy–Walker malformation and a spinal arachnoid cyst. Surgical intervention (fenestration of the upper and lower poles of the arachnoid cyst at the C VI-VII and T IX-X level) was performed. After one month, reoperation (commissure resection in the arachnoid cyst cavity at the T V-VI level; implantation of a cystoperitoneal shunt) was made because of the absence of a clinical result. Reversal of neurological disorders was noted postoperatively. The described clinical case is unique, since NCM is an extremely rare abnormality, especially when concurrent with Dandy–Walker malformation and an arachnoid cyst. In addition, it is of interest that the manifestation of neurological symptoms and verification of the diagnosis occurred just in adulthood, although NCM is most commonly diagnosed in children. The present case shows that an operation aimed at improving cerebrospinal fluid dynamics in patients with arachnoid cysts and Dandy–Walker complex in the presence of NCM can lead to a significant reversal of neurological symptoms and improvement in the quality of life despite gross brain structural changes detected by magnetic resonance imaging.

A case report: Intradural arachnoid cyst in the thoracic spine with ossification of yellow ligament

A case report: Intradural arachnoid cyst in the thoracic spine with ossification of yellow ligament

Surgical treatment with dye injection for symptomatic spinal intradural arachnoid cysts

Surgical treatment with dye injection for symptomatic spinal intradural arachnoid cysts

Hydrocephalus following surgery of thoracic intradural arachnoid cyst: a case report

Spinal intradural arachnoid cysts (SIACs) are cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) sacs formed by arachnoid membranes. They may be idiopathic or acquired. Treatment is resection, fenestration, or cyst drainage. A 41-year-old female patient presented with myelopathy symptoms and complaints. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a T6-T10 dorsal intradural arachnoid cyst. A T6-T10 laminectomy was performed and an arachnoid cyst was excised under surgical microscope. The cyst contained a clear liquid that was surrounded by a transparent membrane. At 7 weeks postoperatively, the patient experienced severe headache, excessive sleepiness, vomiting, loss of coordination, difficulty walking, and difficulty concentrating. A head computed tomography (CT) scan showed marked ventricular dilation that was diagnosed as delayed hydrocephalus. The patient underwent ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS) placement one day after admission. This is a rare condition of hydrocephalus that develops due to CSF leakage after SIAC surgery.

Spinal Arachnoid Cyst in Children

Spinal arachnoid cyst is rarely seen in children. The presenting features can be mistakenly assumed as myelitis or Guillan-Barre syndrome. Intermittent weaknesses of the leg, progressive ascending weakness of the leg, sensory disturbance, and altered physiological reflexes are the hallmark of the disease. Nabors classified the pathology of the spinal arachnoid cyst into three types: extradural without nerve root involvement; extradural with nerve root; and intradural. It is mostly located in mid- to lower thoracic. The causes and natural history of pediatric arachnoid cysts are unclear. They usually are associated with trauma, surgery, arachnoiditis, and neural tube defects. MRI is a useful diagnostic tool. We present two cases of extradural and intradural arachnoid cysts in children. The follow-up and surgical results are reviewed. The surgical therapy itself is straightforward. However, the wrong conclusion might cause a financial burden and may cause preventable sequel.

Spinal Arachnoid Cyst in Children

Spinal arachnoid cyst is rarely seen in children. The presenting features can be mistakenly assumed as myelitis or Guillan-Barre syndrome. Intermittent weaknesses of the leg, progressive ascending weakness of the leg, sensory disturbance, and altered physiological reflexes are the hallmark of the disease. Nabors classified the pathology of the spinal arachnoid cyst into three types: extradural without nerve root involvement; extradural with nerve root; and intradural. It is mostly located in mid- to lower thoracic. The causes and natural history of pediatric arachnoid cysts are unclear. They usually are associated with trauma, surgery, arachnoiditis, and neural tube defects. MRI is a useful diagnostic tool. We present two cases of extradural and intradural arachnoid cysts in children. The follow-up and surgical results are reviewed. The surgical therapy itself is straightforward. However, the wrong conclusion might cause a financial burden and may cause preventable sequel.

Anterior Cervical Arachnoid Cyst in A Child: A Case Report

Intradural arachnoid cysts involving the spine are uncommon and especially rare in an anterior cervical location. In the literature, among 15 patients, 8 were in the paediatric age group and in 3 patients the cyst was localized to the full length of the cervical spinal canal. Although they occur secondary to trauma, haemorrhage, surgery or inflammation, most of them are known to be idiopathic or congenital. Although the disease shows a dramatic neurological course, early diagnosis and treatment could provide good results. In the paediatric age group, cervical anterior intradural arachnoid cyst is an unusual cause of quadriparesis. The rarity of this condition and the relevance of MRI in the accurate and early diagnosis is discussed here. A 4 year-old girl with a intradural arachnoid cyst extending from C4 to C7 situated anteriorly is reported here; diagnosis and treatment modalities are discussed.Journal of National Institute of Neurosciences Bangladesh, 2017;3(1): 52-56