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[Cervical intraspinal enterogenous cyst: a rare cause of neonatal syncope]

J Languepin1, P Daoud, I Desguerre

  • 1Unité de réanimation médicale, hôpital Saint-Vincent-de-Paul, Paris, France.

Archives De Pediatrie : Organe Officiel De La Societe Francaise De Pediatrie
|January 1, 1994
PubMed

Insights

Enterogenous cysts, rare embryogenic tumors, can cause early symptoms in infants, even without vertebral abnormalities. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging is crucial for diagnosing these spinal cord-compressing cysts.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Pediatric Surgery
  • Developmental Biology

Background:

  • Enterogenous cysts are benign embryogenic tumors originating near the central nervous system.
  • These cysts are typically asymptomatic in neonates.
  • This case highlights a rare symptomatic presentation in a young infant.

Observation:

  • A 16-day-old infant presented with discomfort, eye deviation, hypotonia, and hyperreflexia.
  • The infant experienced apnea, cyanosis, bradycardia, and developed spastic quadriparesis with phrenic nerve paralysis.
  • Initial EEG and brain ultrasonography were normal, but MR imaging revealed an intraspinal cyst compressing the spinal cord from C1 to C3.

Findings:

  • Histological examination confirmed the cyst as enterogenous.
  • The cyst was surgically excised and found to be unassociated with vertebral abnormalities.
  • Early symptomatic presentation in an infant was observed.

Implications:

  • This case underscores the importance of considering enterogenous cysts in neonates presenting with neurological symptoms.
  • Early diagnosis via MR imaging is critical for timely intervention.
  • Prompt surgical excision can lead to favorable outcomes in infants with symptomatic enterogenous cysts.
Abstract

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