Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Case Reports
. 2010 Dec;48(6):534-7.
doi: 10.3340/jkns.2010.48.6.534. Epub 2010 Dec 31.

Noncommunicating spinal extradural meningeal cyst in thoracolumbar spine

Il Sup Kim  1 , Jae Taek Hong, Byung Chul Son, Sang Won Lee
Affiliations
Case Reports

Noncommunicating spinal extradural meningeal cyst in thoracolumbar spine

Il Sup Kim et al. J Korean Neurosurg Soc. 2010 Dec.

Abstract

Spinal extradural meningeal cyst has been rarely reported, whose etiologies are assumed to be the communication of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) between intradural subarchnoid space and cyst due to the congenital defect in dura mater. Although the CSF communication due to this defect can be found, in most case, few cases in which there is a lack of the communication have also been reported. We report a case of the huge extradural meningeal cyst occurring in the thoracolumbar spine (from T10 to L2) where there was a lack of the communication between the intradural subarachnoid space and cyst in a 46-year-old man who presented with symptoms that were indicative of progressive paraparesis and leg pain. The patient underwent laminectomy and cyst excision. On intraoperative findings, the dura was intact and there was a lack of the communication with intradural subarachnoid space. Immediately after the surgery, weakness and leg pain disappeared shortly.

Keywords: Cerebrospinal fluid; Meningeal cyst; Noncommunicating; Thoracolumbar spine.

PubMed Disclaimer

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Preoperative image findings. Sagittal T2-weighted magnetic resonance image (MRI) of thoracolumbar spine reveals a septated cystic lesion at the posterior extradural space at the T10-L2 level with high signal change in spinal cord (A). Six-hour delayed myelo computed tomography (CT) reveals no cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) communication between intradural subarachnoid space and cyst (B). Sagittal (C) and 3 mm thin slice axial (D) constructive interference in steady state magnetic resonance imaging (CISS-MRI) also reveal no cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) communication between intradural subarachnoid space and cyst.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Intraoperative photograph shows a large extradural meningeal cyst arising from the dorsal aspect of the spinal canal. The cyst is being dissected from dorsal surface of thecal sac and there is a lack of the communications with intradural subarachnoid space.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Postoperative 6 months sagittal T2-weighted MRI reveals totally obliterated cyst with slightly expanded spinal cord.
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
The histologic examination reveals the consistency of meningeal cyst which is characterized by layered collagenous fibers and a membrane with flat lining cells. H & E, original magnification ×100.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Bergland RM. Congenital intraspinal extradural cyst. Report of three cases in one family. J Neurosurg. 1968;28:495–499. - PubMed
    1. Chang IC, Chou MC, Bell WR, Lin ZI. Spinal cord compression caused by extradural arachnoid cysts. Clinical examples and review. Pediatr Neurosurg. 2004;40:70–74. - PubMed
    1. Cloward RB. Congenital spinal extradural cysts : case report with review of literature. Ann Surg. 1968;168:851–864. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Congia S, Coraddu M, Tronci S, Nurchi G, Fiaschi A. Myelographic and MRI appearances of a thoracic spinal extradural arachnoid cyst of the spine with extra- and intraspinal extension. Neuroradiology. 1992;34:444–446. - PubMed
    1. Dickson RA, Arabi K, Goodfellow J. Congenital spinal extradural cyst (lateral meningocele) simulating acute transverse myelitis. Report of a case. J Bone Joint Surg Br. 1978;60:412–415. - PubMed

Publication types