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Hydromyelia associated with a posterior fossa cyst
G Cano1, M Anderson, P Kutschbach
1Department of Neurosurgery, Tufts-New England Medical Center, Boston 02111.
Insights
This study presents a rare case of a posterior fossa cyst with hydromyelia in an adult, a condition typically seen in children with hydrocephalus. Successful treatment with a cystoperitoneal shunt offers new insights into hydromyelia mechanisms.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Neurosurgery
- Radiology
Background:
- Hydromyelia is a rare condition involving fluid-filled cavities within the spinal cord.
- Arachnoid cysts at the foramen of Magendie are infrequently associated with hydromyelia, primarily reported in pediatric cases with hydrocephalus.
Observation:
- A 45-year-old woman presented with a posterior fossa cyst.
- The patient exhibited hydromyelia but maintained normal ventricular size, differing from previously reported cases.
Findings:
- The posterior fossa cyst was successfully treated using a cystoperitoneal shunt.
- This intervention resolved the associated hydromyelia.
Implications:
- This case expands the understanding of hydromyelia's association with posterior fossa cysts beyond pediatric hydrocephalus.
- The findings suggest alternative pathophysiological mechanisms for hydromyelia development.
- Further research into cyst-associated hydromyelia in adults is warranted.
Abstract:
There are rare reports of children with hydromyelia in association with arachnoid cysts at the foramen of Magendie, and these cases have uniformly been associated with hydrocephalus. We report a case of a 45-year-old woman with a posterior fossa cyst associated with hydromyelia and normal ventricles. This was successfully treated with a cystoperitoneal shunt. We believe this unusual condition is of interest in elucidating potential mechanisms of hydromyelia.