Arachnoiditis associated with arachnoid cyst formation and cord tethering following myelography: magnetic resonance features

Abstract

The reported incidence of clinically significant arachnoiditis following oil-based contrast media myelography is approximately 1%. The incidence of arachnoiditis in the dorsal spine is even more rare. Acquired arachnoid cyst formation can occur with arachnoiditis of various aetiologies. A case is presented of a patient with chronic backache, radiculopathy, weakness and muscle wasting, who had undergone myelography with oil-based contrast media about 28 years ago. There was no history of spinal surgery, spinal canal stenosis, disc disease or trauma, all of which are known to increase the risk of arachnoiditis. Magnetic resonance imaging features are presented in this case of arachnoiditis with arachnoid cyst formation, and cord tethering.