Multiple spinal extradural arachnoidal cysts: An uncommon cause of thoracic cord compression

Spinal extradural arachnoid cysts are one of the rare causes of symptomatic spinal cord compression. Among them, occurrence of multiple cysts at the same spinal segment is rarely described in the literature. They appear to be extradural outpouchings of arachnoid that communicate with the intraspinal sub-arachnoid space through a small defect in the dura, filled by cerebrospinal fluid. Pathogenesis of these lesions is still unclear. Surgical excision is considered as the gold standard treatment. We present a 7-year-old female child who presented with spastic paraparesis. Her magnetic resonance imaging showed a thoracic posterior extradural arachnoid cyst, whereas, intraoperatively we found multiple cysts, which were excised completely. Neurological symptoms gradually recovered after surgical decompression.

Key-words:

Dural defect - paraparesis - spinal extradural archnoid cyst

Publication History

Article published online:
20 September 2022