Spinal extradural arachnoid cyst presenting as recurrent abdominal pain
John M Kerr1, Henry Ukpeh, Paul Steinbok
1Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, University of British Columbia, 4480 Oak St, #K3-159, Vancouver, BC, V6H 3V4, Canada.
Spinal arachnoid cysts can cause abdominal pain in children. This case highlights that this spinal condition may present solely with abdominal pain, even without neurological symptoms.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Neurosurgery
- Radiology
Background:
- Spinal arachnoid cysts are rare causes of pediatric abdominal pain.
- Extradural arachnoid cysts typically present with neurological deficits.
Observation:
- A 14-year-old girl experienced recurrent abdominal pain as her only symptom.
- An intraspinal mass was incidentally discovered via abdominal CT scan.
- MRI confirmed a T11-L2 extradural arachnoid cyst.
Findings:
- Surgical resection of the arachnoid cyst resolved the patient's abdominal pain.
- This is the first reported pediatric case where abdominal pain was the sole presenting feature of a spinal arachnoid cyst.
Implications:
- Abdominal pain in children may indicate underlying spinal pathology, even without neurological signs.
- Consider spinal imaging in the differential diagnosis of unexplained pediatric abdominal pain.
- Early diagnosis and treatment of spinal arachnoid cysts can lead to complete symptom resolution.
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