Spinal cord herniation into an extradural arachnoid cyst

Area of Science:

• Neurosurgery
• Spinal Cord Imaging
• Neurology

Background:

• Extradural arachnoid cysts are rare spinal pathologies.
• Thoracic spinal cord herniation is an infrequent complication.
• Anterior herniations are more commonly reported.

Observation:

• A 37-year-old male presented with progressive paraparesis.
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed thoracic spinal cord kinking into an extradural arachnoid cyst.
• This case represents the first documented posterior herniation of this type.

Findings:

• The patient experienced progressive lower limb weakness.
• MRI confirmed thoracic spinal cord herniation into the arachnoid cyst.
• The herniation was characterized as posterior, unlike previously reported anterior cases.

Implications:

• This case expands the understanding of spinal cord herniation mechanisms.
• Surgical release of the herniation neck offers a successful treatment option.
• Highlights the importance of advanced imaging in diagnosing spinal cord compression.