Gas-filled intradural cyst of the lumbar spine

Abstract

<jats:p content-type="fine-print">✓ The authors describe the case of a gas-filled intradural cyst of the lumbar spine that caused radicular pain. The cyst was similar to an intervertebral vacuum disc phenomenon and the cystic gas collection resembled the features of gas-containing pseudocyst, herniated intradiscal gas, or free gas, all of which have been found in the epidural space.</jats:p>

Intradural Invasion of Lumbar Synovial Cyst

“…3,7,12,17,27) In the present case, we could not definitely confirm that synovial cyst was the causative pathology based only on the findings of MR imaging and CT. CT showed a small amount of gas in the mass. Gas-filled synovial cysts have been reported, presumably originating from the contiguous vacuum in the facet joint, 1,10,11,15,18,24,25) but the diagnostic value is limited due to the polymorphism of radiologic presentation of synovial cysts and lack of sensitivity of CT. 21) Surgery has been considered for the treatment of symptomatic lumbar synovial cyst. Conservative treatments including percutaneous needle aspiration of the synovial cyst and intra-articular steroid injection have been advocated, but the outcome of surgical excision has been superior to nonsurgical treatment.…”

Gas-Filled Intradural Cyst within the Cauda Equine

“…In the few reported cases of gas-containing cysts, some doctors performed intraoperative or percutaneous needle aspiration of the gas 14,16) , but the majority recommended surgical removal of the gas-filled cyst 2,5,10,11) . We considered the patient's advanced age and decided to perform CT-guided aspiration as the first line treatment.…”

“…However, as in this case, there is a possibility of gas-filled intradural cysts originating from the vacuum disc 1,6,7,[9][10][11]15) . Many cases of gas-filled intraspinal cysts due to disc herniation have already been reported and, to the best of our knowledge, 8 cases of gas-filled intradural cysts have been documented to date (Table 1) 1, 6,7,[9][10][11]15) . Among them, there has only been one report documenting two cases of gas-filled intradural and intraneural cysts 11) .…”

“…However, gas-filled intradural cysts are rare. Only 8 cases of gasfilled intradural cysts of the spine have been reported to date 1,6,7,[9][10][11]15) . Among these, two cases of gas-filled intradural and intraneural cysts have been reported 11) .…”

L2 Radicular Compression Caused by a Foraminal Extradural Gas Pseudocyst

“…Intraspinal gas pseudocysts are a rare cause of radicular pain [1][2][3]5,8,9,11) , and it has been suggested that they are associated with the intervertebral vacuum phenomenon 11) . Until now, most symptomatic gas pseudocysts have been found within the confines of the spinal canal.…”