Occult intrasacral meningocoele

Treatment of myelomeningocele: a review of outcomes and continuing neurosurgical considerations among adults

OBJECT

Myelomeningocele is the most severe congenital malformation of the CNS that is compatible with survival. From the time of the development of practical treatment for hydrocephalus in the late 1950s, affected individuals began to survive into adulthood in substantial numbers. Data on the neurological status of these individuals are sparse, as are descriptions of their continuing requirements for neurosurgical care.

METHODS

A review of the literature was undertaken using the PubMed database maintained by the National Library of Medicine. Formal grading of the quality of evidence was not attempted, but methodological issues affecting validity or generalizability were noted.

RESULTS

Observations from 2 major longitudinal studies of cohorts of patients treated without selection using contemporary neurosurgical techniques have been published at intervals beginning in the mid-1970s. Numerous cross-sectional, institutional reviews have focused on neurosurgical issues in adulthood: hydrocephalus, Chiari malformation Type II and syringomyelia, and secondary spinal cord tethering. The organization of medical services for adults with myelomeningocele has received limited study.

CONCLUSIONS

Surviving adults with myelomeningocele achieve a wide range of neurological and functional outcomes, the most critical and adverse determinant of which is symptomatic CSF shunt failure. From a neurosurgical standpoint, adults with myelomeningocele remain clinically active indefinitely, and they deserve periodic neurosurgical surveillance.

Huge spinal extradural meningeal cyst in the thoracolumbar spine: a case report of a rare cause of low backpain

Symptomatic intraspinal extradural meningeal cysts are rare. We present the case of a 17-year-old female with low back pain, progressive numbness, and radiation pain to the flank and lower limbs. Magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomographic myelography revealed a huge intraspinal extradural meningeal cyst extending from T12 to L3 with cord and dural sac compression. The patient underwent surgery to open the cyst and close the connecting dural defect. Pathologic examination of the cyst disclosed non-specific fibrous connective tissue without an inner arachnoid single-cell lining. She achieved complete recovery after the operation. There was no recurrence of the cyst at a 2-year follow-up.

Symptomatic sacral extradural arachnoid cyst associated with lumbar intradural arachnoid cyst

A case of sacral extradural arachnoid cyst associated with lumbar intradural arachnoid cyst in a 35-year-old male is reported. The patient presented with a history of severe sacrococcygeal pain, constipation, and dysuria for several months. Computed tomographic (CT) myelograms and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans showed a huge sacral cyst without neural components. A favorable outcome could be achieved by decompression of the cyst, obliteration of the fistulous channel between the cyst and the thecal sac, and fenestration of the arachnoid cyst into the subarachnoid space. The relevant literatures are also reviewed.

Lumbosacral dural anomalies in von Recklinghausen neurofibromatosis

The lumbosacral dural abnormalities in two patients with von Recklinghausen neurofibromatosis (vRNF) are described. Analysis of 18 previously reported cases revealed considerable morphological variations of the lumbosacral dural lesions associated with vRNF, but three basic forms may be distinguished. The pathogenesis of these lesions is still controversial. The contrast studies in our patients, especially the computed tomographic myelography (CTM), suggest that the meningocoeles in vRNF are, in fact, abnormally dilated and elongated nerve root sleeves and should, therefore, be distinguished from other types of meningeal cysts occurring in the lumbosacral region. The clinical significance of these dural anomalies are discussed.

Updated assessment and current classification of spinal meningeal cysts

The classification of spinal meningeal cysts (MC's) in the literature is indistinct, confusing, and in certain categories histologically misleading. Based on a series of 22 cases, the authors propose a classification comprising three categories: spinal extradural MC's without spinal nerve root fibers (Type I); spinal extradural MC's with spinal nerve root fibers (Type II); and spinal intradural MC's (Type III). Although water-soluble myelography may disclose a filling defect for all three categories, computerized tomographic myelography (CTM) is essential to reveal communication between the cyst and the subarachnoid space. Communication demonstrated by CTM allows accurate diagnosis of a spinal MC and rules out other mass lesions. Magnetic resonance imaging appears useful as an initial study to identify an intraspinal cystic mass. Final characterization is based on operative inspection and histological examination for all three categories.

Paraspinal myoclonus due to spinal root lesion

Images

The role of childbirth on the natural history of occult spinal dysraphism

Images

Intrasacral meningeal cyst demonstrated by sacral epidurography

A case of intrasacral meningeal cyst is reported in which radiculography and computed tomography were not conclusive in diagnosing the lesion. Sacral epidurography delineated the cyst very clearly and is proposed as a complementary imaging technique in lesions of the sacral canal.

Rare combination of spinal lesions and spina bifida occulta: case report

An infant presented with spina bifida occulta and a rare combination of spinal lesions, consisting of fibrous band with skin tag, lipoma, congenital dermal sinus and arachnoid cyst. The literature concerning the arachnoid cyst in occult spinal dysraphism is reviewed and the embryogenesis of these lesions is discussed.

Spinal cord herniation into a congenital extradural arachnoid cyst causing Brown-Séquard syndrome. Case report

This is a report of a patient who developed sharp intercostal pain and Brown-Séquard syndrome. Displacement of the spinal cord toward an extradural mass was noted at the T4-5 vertebral level on iophendylate myelography and metrizamide computerized tomography myelography. Multiple meningeal diverticular lesions of congenital origin were also found. Surgical correction of the spinal cord, which had herniated into a laterally located extradural arachnoid cyst and become incarcerated, resulted in a complete neurological recovery.

Comparative aspects of occult intrasacral meningocele with conventional X-ray, myelography and CT

A case of occult intrasacral meningocele is reported and the diagnostic reliability of conventional roentgenography, myelography and CT for the management of this rare lesions are evaluated. Probably, CT with the use of an intrathecal contrast agent could yield the most complete information about the precise nature of this cystic congenital dysraphism.

Intrasacral meningocoele

A case of an intrasacral meningocoele is described with typical radiological findings and obvious improvement after surgical treatment, but a somewhat unusual neurological picture.