Case of the Week
Section Editors: Matylda Machnowska1 and Anvita Pauranik2
1University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
2BC Children's Hospital, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
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April 2, 2012
Extradural Spinal Arachnoid Cyst
- Spinal arachnoid cysts are most often seen in the thoracic spine, intradural-extramedullary in location, and often dorsal to the cord.
- Extradural spinal arachnoid cysts are rare.
- Most are asymptomatic. Larger cysts sometimes can cause mass effect on the cord and adjacent structures resulting in back pain, and, rarely, radiculopathy and myelopathy.
- Key Diagnostic Features: Non-enhancing cystic appearing intradural extra-medullary lesion is seen. Rarely, such lesions can be seen in the extradural compartment.
- DDx: Neurenteric cyst, perineural root sleeve cyst
- Rx: Observation; if symptomatic, excision.
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