Traumatic thoracic extradural cyst - surgical management and literature review

Extradural arachnoid cysts (EACs) are rare, fluid-filled lesions located outside the dura mater, predominantly found in the thoracic spine. While many remain asymptomatic, their progressive enlargement may lead to significant neurological deficits due to spinal cord compression. This case report describes a 43-year-old patient presenting with incomplete paraplegia (Frankel grade C) due to a thoracic EAC at the T5-T6 level. Surgical management involved laminectomy, complete cyst excision, and dural defect repair, leading to neurological improvement. The discussion reviews current diagnostic and therapeutic approaches, emphasizing the importance of early intervention to optimize patient outcomes.