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Spinal arachnoid cyst without neural tube defect
M Gelabert-González1, J M Cutrín-Prieto, A García-Allut
1Department of Neurosurgery, Clinic Hospital of Santiago, University of Santiago de Compostela, Spain. cimigego@usc.es
Insights
Symptomatic spinal arachnoid cysts are rare in children. Surgical cyst fenestration led to full recovery in a 12-month-old girl with progressive leg weakness.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurosurgery
- Spinal Cord Imaging
- Developmental Neurology
Background:
- Spinal arachnoid cysts are uncommon in pediatric patients.
- Often associated with neural tube defects like myelomeningocele.
- Can occur independently of spinal anomalies.
Observation:
- A 12-month-old female presented with progressive lower limb weakness.
- A lumbar intradural arachnoid cyst was identified as the cause.
- The patient had no other congenital spinal anomalies.
Findings:
- Surgical fenestration of the arachnoid cyst was performed.
- Complete resolution of neurological deficits was observed post-surgery.
- Demonstrates a positive outcome for this rare pediatric condition.
Implications:
- Highlights the importance of considering arachnoid cysts in pediatric lower limb weakness.
- Suggests surgical intervention is effective for symptomatic spinal arachnoid cysts.
- Emphasizes the potential for full recovery in pediatric patients with timely treatment.
Abstract:
Symptomatic arachnoid cysts of the spine are rare lesions in the pediatric age group. Although most commonly occurring in association with neural tube defects, such as myelomeningocele and diastematomyelia, in some cases the cysts appear in children without spinal anomalies. We describe a 12-month-old girl with lumbar intradural arachnoid cyst with progressive weakness of the lower limbs. There was full recovery after fenestration of the cyst.