Korean J Neurotrauma.  2020 Oct;16(2):360-366. 10.13004/kjnt.2020.16.e27.

How to Find Dural Defect of Spinal Extradural Arachnoid Cyst

• Lee Sw
• Choi SW
• Lim J
• Youm JY
• Kwon HJ
• Koh HS
• Kim SH

• KMID: 2523149
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.13004/kjnt.2020.16.e27

Abstract

Spinal extradural arachnoid cysts (SEACs) are rare and usually asymptomatic, and they usually do not require surgical treatment. If symptoms manifest, however, surgical treatment is required. A 25-year-old male patient complained of impotence upon admission. Magnetic resonance images (MRIs) of his lumbar spine showed a SEAC located longitudinally from the T11 to L3, which was accompanied by thecal sac compression. Verifying the location of the dural defect is crucial for minimizing surgical treatments. Cystography, myelography, and lumbar spine MRI were conducted to locate the leak in real-time; however, it was not found. Hence, the location of the cerebrospinal fluid leak was estimated based on cystography, computed tomography, myelography, and MRI findings. We suggest that the region with the earliest contrast-filling, as well as the middle and widest area of the cyst, may correspond to the location of the dural defect.

Keyword

Arachnoid cysts; Spine; Cerebrospinal fluid leak; Minimally invasive surgery