Intramedullary Arachnoid Cyst Research Articles

Intramedullary arachnoid cyst: A rare cause of medullary compression

This clinical case of intramedullary arachnoid cyst is the second reported case in Senegal. It concerns a 50-yearold woman, with no particular history, admitted for back pain associated with intermittent spinal claudication. The physical examination showed a dorsal spinal syndrome, spastic paraparesis, hypoesthesis under T9 sensitive territory with bilateral Babinski sign. Cutaneous-abdominal reflexes were abolished at T8. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed an intramedullary cyst formation. The patient was operated on the day after her admission by a posterior approach with scopic tracking. She underwent a laminectomy from T7 to T9. Thereafter the cyst has been removed, then discharged three days after the surgery. The clinical follow-up showed a full recovery.

Letter to the Editor Regarding “Recurrent Spinal Intramedullary Arachnoid Cysts”

Letter to the Editor Regarding “Recurrent Spinal Intramedullary Arachnoid Cysts”

In Reply to the Letter to the Editor Regarding “Recurrent Spinal Intramedullary Arachnoid Cyst: Case Report and Literature Review”

In Reply to the Letter to the Editor Regarding “Recurrent Spinal Intramedullary Arachnoid Cyst: Case Report and Literature Review”

Intramedullary arachnoid cysts – Report of three cases and literature review

Arachnoid cysts are rare lesions of the spine and occur most commonly in the extradural location. Intramedullary location is a very rare site, and only 15 cases have been reported in literature till date. We report a series of three cases with intramedullary arachnoid cysts having diverse etiopathogenesis and clinical presentations. Recurrent cyst and cyst associated with tethering of the cord are unique to our series and have not been reported previously.

The differences in clinical, radiological and treatment modalities of cervical intramedullary arachnoid cysts and cervical syringomyelia – report of 12 cases

Background Intramedullary arachnoid cysts are rare cystic masses that are usually mixed with syringomiyelia. It is not necessarily a complication of any pathologic condition in the spine and/or brain but the etiology and management of this entity remains unclear. Syringomyelia is a disorder that is related to an abnormality of the brain and in most cases, occurs as a complication of other pathologies. The aim of this study is to establish the clinical and radiological characteristics of this intramedullary arachnoid cyst and discuss the differences between intramedullary arachnoid cyst and the syringomiyelias. Material and Method A total of 77 patients with intramedullary cystic masses were retrospectively assessed between 2002 and 2012 and 12 of them with intramedullary arachnoid cyst were analyzed statistically. All patients had initial scans and followed up with clinical examinations and MR images and neuro-electrophysiological tests. Results The average follow-up duration was 50 months (range 18-120 months). Mean axial intramedullary arachnoid cyst size was 13,26 ± 4.76 mm and a mean sagittal size was 23.29 ± 7.95 mm. Neurological examinations were normal in all except one patient who had minor sensory loss due to recent cervical trauma. There were no motor neurological deficits, and all patients remained asymptomatic or stable. Intramedullary arachnoid cyst size and shape remained unchanged radiologically, MEP and SSEP studies revealed normal median and tibial responses initially and at the end of the follow up in all patients. Conclusion It is probable that intramedullary arachnoid cyst has different radiologic findings and clinical signs/symptoms from syringomiyelia that are associated with different primary causes. And also, the treatment and following modalities are different in intramedullary arachnoid cyst.

Child Spinal Cord Compression without Trauma about 113 Cases in Senegal

Introduction: No-trauma spinal cord compressions are serious conditions not often described in children population. This study will discuss the epidemiological, clinical, biology and radiology assessment, the etiologies, the therapeutic and evolutionary aspects of this condition in children in Senegal. Patients and Methods: 113 children aged between 15 months and 18 years were managed in a 10 years period (from January 2005 to July 2015) for a non-traumatic spinal cord compression (average 8.3 years). Results: There was 66 males (58%) and 47 females (42%) with sex ratio of 1.40. The main reasons for consultation were spinal deformity (90 %). The syndrome was complete in 52 patients (46%) and incomplete in 61 patients (54%). Plain radiography performed in 63 patients. The CT scan was performed in 21 patients and myelography performed in 4 patients. MRI was performed in 22 patients. There was intradural extramedullary process (33.33%), the extradural lesions (14.28%) and intramedullary process (28.57%). Dorsal lesions were predominant (46%) followed by the lumbar spine (27%). The majority of the etiology was Pott’s disease (80%) followed by tumors (17%). Spondylitis to banal germs (2%) and parasitic spinal cord compression (1%) were rare. The histology of 6 patients was revealed 5% neurofibroma Type II, 5% extramedullary intradermal arachnoid cyst, 5% intramedullary arachnoid cyst with cytochemistry of the CSF—like content, 5% Anaplastic pilocytic astrocytoma, 5% ganglioneuroma I terminal cone and 5% meningothelial meningioma. Pott’s disease has been cured by TB chemotherapy associated with a corset in 88.89% of cases. 2 patients of this group had benefited fixation after laminectomy. 68% of the patients had a favorable recovery, and 20% had completely recovered after an average of 7 months of treatment and three (3) patients had died. The compression by bilharzias is be cured by myelotomy and praziquantel with a favorable outcome. We have 94.74% decompressive laminectomy or laminotomy with tumor resection and four (4) Patients of this group benefited fixation; the patients who had intramedullary tumor benefited myelotomy and tumor resection; 3 patients in this group had benefited fixation after laminectomy 58% of patients had good recovery and 1 pateint had died. Conclusion: In Africa, particularly in the tropics, Pott’s disease remains the first etiology followed by vertebra-medullary tumors for no traumatic spinal cord compression of child.

Intramedullary Arachnoid Cyst of the Cervical Spine: Case Report and Literature Review

AbstractIntramedullary arachnoid cysts of the spinal cord are extremely rare benign lesions of unclear pathogenesis. To our knowledge, only 21 cases were reported in the literature, 10 of which involved the cervical spine. We report the case of a 47-year-old female who presented with a symptomatic spinal intramedullary arachnoid cyst (SIAC). Magnetic resonance imaging scan of the cervical spine demonstrated an intramedullary arachnoid cyst at C3-C5 level. The patient had a cervical laminectomy and cysto-subarachnoid shunt with rapid and excellent clinical recovery and no recurrence at 2-year follow-up.Intramedullary arachnoid cysts should be considered in the differential diagnosis of intramedullary cystic lesions of the spinal cord. Their pathogenesis and natural history are not well defined in the literature. However, a cysto-subarachnoid shunt can be performed with excellent long-term clinical and radiological results.

An Adult Cervical Intramedullary Arachnoid Cyst: Case Report and Review

Spinal arachnoid cysts are uncommon benign lesions that occur in the spinal axis, and can cause spinal cord or nerve roots compression and may become clinically relevant. The authors report a 49-year-old woman who presented progressive onset of cervical pain with distal paraesthesia of the upper limbs associated to an intramedullary arachnoid cyst in the mid-cervical spine diagnosed by MRI. From the literature review, only six cases in patients over 18-year-old were found, all with thoracic location and one with cervical extension, and all were submitted to decompressive surgery. The authors described the first intramedullary arachnoid cyst with a wait and scan approach.

A hemorrhagic cervical intramedullary arachnoid cyst

A hemorrhagic cervical intramedullary arachnoid cyst

Intramedullary arachnoid cyst: Report of two cases

Intramedullary arachnoid cyst: Report of two cases

Thoracic intramedullary arachnoid cyst in an infant

Symptomatic intramedullary arachnoid cysts are rare, especially in children; these lesions are rarely described as a cause of spinal cord compression in this age group. The authors report on an 18-month-old boy who experienced a sudden loss of his ability to stand and walk due to a paraparesis. Magnetic resonance imaging of the spine exhibited a cystic intramedullary lesion at the level of T5-6. A hemilaminectomy was performed, and after myelotomy the cystic lesion was decompressed by fenestration to the subarachnoid space. The histopathological examination verified the diagnosis of an arachnoid cyst. In the postoperative course the boy experienced complete resolution of the initial paraparesis.

Intramedullary arachnoid cyst: 3-year follow up after bilateral dorsal root entry zone myelotomy

Spinal arachnoid cysts are relatively uncommon an intramedullary location is believed to be extremely rare. A 35 year old woman, admitted with progressive weakness in the lower limbs, was diagnosed as having a thoracic intramedullary arachnoid cyst. After bilateral dorsal root entry zone myelotomy procedures and wide fenestration was performed, there was a dramatic and immediate recovery. This is the first intramedullary arachnoid cyst reported to be treated by this approach and the long term outcome discussed.

Kyste arachnoïdien intramédullaire symptomatique. À propos de deux cas et résumé de la littérature

Objective The objective of this work is to present and discuss the rare situation of curable medullary compression with favorable prognosis. Material and method Two cases of thoracic intramedullary arachnoid cysts are described. Clinical, paraclinical, therapeutics and outcome features are discussed with a review of the literature. Results Two children, 4 and 8 years old, with an uneventful history were admitted for progressive spastic paraparesia. MRI demonstrated a thoracic intramedullary cystic lesion at level T3-T4 in both patients. The cyst was emptied with partial cyst wall resection via dorsomedial myelotomy. The pathology examination confirmed the diagnosis of arachnoid cyst. The initial clinical signs resolved completely in both patients. Conclusion Thought in children, intramedullary arachnoidian cyst is a potential cause of medullary compression. Direct surgery is the treatment of choice.

Spinal intramedullary arachnoid cyst in a 4-year-old girl: a rare cause of treatable acute quadriparesis

The authors report their experience in successfully treating a 4-year-old girl who presented with sudden onset of quadriparesis that lasted for 20 days. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging of the spine revealed an intramedullary cystic lesion extending from C-4 to C-6. A C4-6 laminectomy was performed followed by a median myelotomy. The cyst was decompressed and most of the cyst wall was excised. The histopathological findings were consistent with those of an arachnoid cyst. By postoperative Day 3, power had gradually returned to normal in all her limbs. On follow-up reviews at 2 and 17 months, the results of her neurological examinations remained normal. Follow-up MR imaging of the spine at 17 months revealed an intramedullary residual cystic lesion extending from C-5 to C-6, without any mass effect. An intramedullary arachnoid cyst should be considered in the differential diagnosis of an intramedullary cystic lesion.

Spinal arachnoid cyst with weakness in the limbs and abdominal pain

A 7-year-old male admitted with neck rigidity, severe pain in the abdomen, and progressive weakness in the lower limbs was diagnosed as having a spinal intramedullary arachnoid cyst. There was a dramatic and immediate recovery after fenestration of the cyst.