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Radicular compression by gas in a spinal extra dural cyst. Report on two cases
J Fandino1, J Garcia, M Garcia-Abeledo
1Servicio de Neurocirugia, Policlinico de Lugo, Espana.
Neuro-Chirurgie
|January 1, 1994
Summary
Two cases of secondary sciatica caused by gas-containing cysts compressing spinal nerves were successfully treated by cyst removal. This highlights a rare cause of sciatica and effective surgical intervention.
Area of Science:
- Neurosurgery
- Radiology
- Spinal Pathology
Background:
- Sciatica is often caused by lumbar disc herniation or spinal stenosis.
- Secondary causes of sciatica are less common but require accurate diagnosis.
- Epidural cysts, particularly those containing gas, are rare etiologies of nerve root compression.
Observation:
- Two patients presented with secondary sciatica attributed to intraspinal gas-containing cysts.
- Computed Tomography (CT) scans and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were instrumental in diagnosing the cysts.
- The cysts were located in the extradural space, causing radicular compression.
Findings:
- Surgical excision of the gas-containing extradural cysts resulted in complete symptom resolution for both patients.
- The study confirms the diagnostic utility of advanced imaging techniques like CT and MRI for identifying intraspinal gas collections.
- Pathogenesis of epidural gas formation was explored, with a review of existing literature.
Implications:
- This case series expands the differential diagnosis for secondary sciatica.
- Surgical intervention for symptomatic epidural gas cysts is an effective treatment modality.
- Further research into the pathogenesis of epidural gas may reveal underlying conditions or predispositions.