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Dural ectasia: Marfan syndrome

Case contributed by Frank Gaillard
Diagnosis almost certain

Presentation

Lumbar back pain

Patient Data

Age: 30 years
Gender: Female

The spinal canal is capacious at all levels and the cord is normal in appearance with the conus terminating at T12/L1. There is prominent posterior vertebral body scalloping with dural ectasia most pronounced in the lumbar canal, although the spinal canal is larger than normal at all levels. Dural ectasia is also seen prominently in the sacrum, with a sacral foramina are enlarged, particularly on the left S1 with a prominent meningocoele bulging out posteriorly, the sac measuring 1.5 cm in diameter.

Vertebral height but overall alignment and bone marrow signal are within normal limits, with no segmentation abnormalities. An S-shaped scoliosis convex towards the right in the thoracic spine towards the left in the lumbar spine is noted.

Case Discussion

The patient has a known and confirmed diagnosis of Marfan syndrome. Dural ectasia is a common finding and can result in large meningocoeles.

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