J Korean Neurosurg Soc.  2009 May;45(5):315-317. 10.3340/jkns.2009.45.5.315.

Syringomyelia Associated with a Spinal Arachnoid Cyst

• Kim MS
• Kim SH

• KMID: 1495126
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3340/jkns.2009.45.5.315

Abstract

While syringomyelia is not a rare spinal disorder, syringomyelia associated with a spinal arachnoid cyst is very unusual. Here, we report a 62-year-old man who suffered from gait disturbance and numbness of bilateral lower extremities. Spinal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed the presence of a spinal arachnoid cyst between the 7th cervical and 3rd thoracic vertebral segment and syringomyelia extending between the 6th cervical and 1st thoracic vertebral segment. The cyst had compressed the spinal cord anteriorly. Syringomyelia usually results from lesions that partially obstruct cerebrospinal fluid flow. Therefore, we concluded that the spinal arachnoid cyst was causing the syringomyelia. After simple excision of the arachnoid cyst, the symptoms were relieved. A follow-up MRI demonstrated that the syringomyelia had significantly decreased in size after removal of the arachnoid cyst. This report presents an unusual case of gait disturbance caused by syringomyelia associated with a spinal arachnoid cyst.

Keyword

Syringomyelia; Arachnoid cyst; Spinal cord neoplasm

MeSH Terms

Arachnoid
Follow-Up Studies
Gait
Humans
Hypesthesia
Lower Extremity
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Middle Aged
Spinal Cord
Spinal Cord Neoplasms
Syringomyelia