Arachnoid webs with spinal cord compression: insights from three cases
Kaleb Derouen1, Kierany B Shelvin1, Tayler Payton1
1Department of Neurosurgery, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA 70112, United States.
Journal of Surgical Case Reports
|December 19, 2023
Summary
Spinal arachnoid webs, a rare cause of thoracic myelopathy, can be identified by the MRI
Area of Science:
- Neurosurgery
- Neurology
- Spinal Cord Imaging
Background:
- Spinal arachnoid webs are uncommon intradural lesions causing spinal cord compression.
- Diagnosis and treatment of spinal arachnoid webs can be challenging.
Observation:
- Three patients with thoracic myelopathy due to spinal arachnoid webs were identified.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed the characteristic 'scalpel sign' in all cases.
Findings:
- Two patients underwent successful surgical removal of the spinal arachnoid web.
- One patient is currently managed conservatively.
Implications:
- This case series highlights the diagnostic utility of the 'scalpel sign' in spinal arachnoid webs.
- Surgical intervention can effectively decompress the spinal cord and alleviate myelopathy symptoms.
- Conservative management is an option for select cases.
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