Thoracic Spinal Arachnoid Web With Syringomyelia: A Case Report
Shane Weatherford1, Jayanth Kumar1, Katherine Roberts2
1Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation, University of Florida College of Medicine - Jacksonville, Jacksonville, USA.
Cureus
|July 14, 2026
Summary
Thoracic spinal arachnoid webs, a rare cause of myelopathy, can be diagnosed using the "scalpel sign" on MRI. Early surgical intervention for these spinal cord compressions leads to significant symptom improvement.
Area of Science:
- Neurosurgery
- Neurology
- Radiology
Background:
- Spinal arachnoid webs are uncommon intradural extramedullary lesions typically found in the thoracic spine.
- They can lead to spinal cord compression, cerebrospinal fluid obstruction, syringomyelia, and myelopathy, often with delayed diagnosis due to nonspecific symptoms.
- Standard MRI may struggle to visualize arachnoid webs, necessitating recognition of specific imaging signs.
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