Neurenteric cysts of the spinal cord mimicking multiple sclerosis

A 54-year-old man died following a 20-year course of intermittent neurologic symptoms. He carried a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis, with most severe involvement thought to be in the spinal cord. At autopsy, two neurenteric (enterogenous) cysts were found to indent the anterior spinal cord -- at the T4 and T11 cord levels. Partial diplomyelia was present in the lumbo-sacral cord. These findings represent a unique combination of congenital abnormalities. Their embryogenesis and pathogenesis are discussed.