Thoracic spinal arachnoid cyst in a pediatric patient presenting with isolated bladder and bowel incontinence
Katherine M Fischer1, Peter J Madsen2, Alexander M Tucker2
1Division of Urology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, 3401 Civic Center Blvd, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
Abstract:
Spinal arachnoid cysts (SAC) are uncommon benign spinal cord lesions, particularly in children, that can result in a variety of neurologic symptoms, including neurogenic bladder. Here we present the case of a 7-year-old female with new onset, isolated urinary and stool incontinence who was found to have a T4-T7 SAC. Though this was initially believed to be an incidental imaging finding, after thorough work-up and persistence of her symptoms despite conservative measures she underwent neurosurgical intervention with complete resolution of incontinence. SAC represents a very rare but potentially reversible cause of neurogenic bladder that the urologist should be aware of.
Related Concept Videos
Urinary Bladder
In males, the bladder is situated in front of the rectum, while in females, it is positioned anterior to the vagina and uterus. The bladder floor contains an inverted triangular area called the trigone, defined by the two ureteric...
Imaging Studies VI: Voiding Cystourethrography and Cystography
Urologic Endoscopic Procedure: Cystoscopic Examination
The Micturition Reflex
The process begins with bladder filling, where the bladder wall stretches as urine accumulates. This stretching activates the urine storage reflex, mediated by the sacral spinal segments and the pontine storage center. Efferent sympathetic impulses stimulate the detrusor muscle to relax and the internal urethral sphincter to contract, facilitating...
Aneurysm II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies
Pneumothorax-II
Clinical Manifestations:


