Spinal neurenteric cyst
Updates to Article Attributes
Spinal neurenteric cysts are a rare type of foregut duplication cyst, accounting for ~1% of all spinal cord tumours. They are usually classified as spinal or intracranial and are associated with vertebral or CNS abnormalities respectively.
Pathology
Neurenteric cysts result from incomplete resorption of the neurenteric canal. The
Location
The intraspinal cysts are usually intradural extramedullary (80-90%)4 and and ventral in location5. They most commonly occur in the thoracic region (~40%).
Associations
- vertebral anomalies like Klippel-Feil syndrome, hemivertebra and spina bifida5, 6
Radiographic features
CT
The cyst is seen as a well-defined hypoattenuating lesion which may show soft tissue-tissue attenuation.
On CT myelography, the cyst does not opacify with intrathecal contrast. However, larger cysts may cause obstruction to the CSF flow; in such cases, intrathecal contrast material forms meniscus shape (meniscus sign) 5.
MRI
It is the investigation of choice and the appearance depends on the variable protein content:
- T1: variable signal intensity
- T2: variable signal intensity
Treatment and prognosis
These lesions can recur and hence MRI is also used for follow up.
-<p><strong>Spinal neurenteric cysts</strong> are a rare type of <a href="/articles/foregut-duplication-cyst">foregut duplication cyst</a>, accounting for ~1% of all spinal cord tumours. They are usually classified as spinal or intracranial and are associated with vertebral or CNS abnormalities respectively. </p><h4>Pathology</h4><p>Neurenteric cysts result from incomplete resorption of the <a href="/articles/neurenteric-canal">neurenteric canal</a>. The intraspinal cysts are usually intradural extramedullary (80-90%) <sup>4</sup> and ventral in location. They most commonly occur in the thoracic region (~40%).</p><h4>Radiographic features</h4><h5>CT</h5><p>The cyst is seen as a hypoattenuating lesion which may show soft tissue attenuation.</p><h5>MRI</h5><p>It is the investigation of choice and the appearance depends on the variable protein content:</p><ul>- +<p><strong>Spinal neurenteric cysts</strong> are a rare type of <a href="/articles/foregut-duplication-cyst">foregut duplication cyst</a>, accounting for ~1% of all spinal cord tumours. They are usually classified as spinal or intracranial and are associated with vertebral or CNS abnormalities respectively. </p><h4>Pathology</h4><p>Neurenteric cysts result from incomplete resorption of the <a href="/articles/neurenteric-canal">neurenteric canal</a>. </p><h5>Location</h5><p>The intraspinal cysts are usually intradural extramedullary (80-90%) <sup>4</sup> and ventral in location <sup>5</sup>. They most commonly occur in the thoracic region (~40%).</p><h5>Associations</h5><ul><li>
- +<a href="/articles/vertebral-anomalies">vertebral anomalies</a> like <a href="/articles/klippel-feil-syndrome-3">Klippel-Feil syndrome</a>, <a href="/articles/hemivertebra">hemivertebra</a> and <a href="/articles/spina-bifida">spina bifida</a> <sup>5, 6</sup>
- +</li></ul><h4>Radiographic features</h4><h5>CT</h5><p>The cyst is seen as a well-defined hypoattenuating lesion which may show soft-tissue attenuation. </p><p>On CT myelography, the cyst does not opacify with intrathecal contrast. However, larger cysts may cause obstruction to the CSF flow; in such cases, intrathecal contrast material forms meniscus shape (meniscus sign) <sup>5</sup>.</p><h5>MRI</h5><p>It is the investigation of choice and the appearance depends on the variable protein content:</p><ul>
References changed:
- 5. Dhruv M. Patel, Brent D. Weinberg, Michael J. Hoch. CT Myelography: Clinical Indications and Imaging Findings. (2020) RadioGraphics. 40 (2): 470-484. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1148/rg.2020190135">doi:10.1148/rg.2020190135</a> - <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32058837">Pubmed</a> <span class="ref_v4"></span>
- 6. Garg N, Sampath S, Yasha TC, Chandramouli BA, Devi BI, Kovoor JM. Is total excision of spinal neurenteric cysts possible?. (2008) British journal of neurosurgery. 22 (2): 241-51. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1080/02688690701818919">doi:10.1080/02688690701818919</a> - <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18348021">Pubmed</a> <span class="ref_v4"></span>
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- rg_40_2_edit
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