Gas-filled intradural cyst with migration into the nerve root of the cauda equina

Abstract

<jats:p>✓Only 4 cases of gas-filled intradural cysts of the spine have been reported previously. All cysts were due to intradural herniation of a gas-containing disc. The authors report 2 additional patients with gas-filled intradural cysts that migrated into the nerve root of the cauda equina. After surgical treatment their severe leg pain completely resolved.</jats:p>

Gas-Filled Intradural Cyst within the Cauda Equine

“…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) . In the present case, the patient was successfully treated with open intradural surgery, although the gas-filled cyst recurred after CT-guided aspiration.…”

“…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) .…”

“…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) . All of these cysts were due to intradural herniation of disc material and gas in the vacuum disc.…”

Letter to editor concerning: “Intradural lumbar disc herniation: report of five cases with literature review”

“…Our attention was drawn to the fact that this author made no reference to a number of studies previously published by us [2,3] and other authors [4,5] which mention the association of intradural herniations or cysts with gas within the spinal canal.Moreover, we had already advised in our previous study of the possible need for intradural exploration where the CT or MRI imaging studies show the existence of gas within the canal and the intraoperative findings do not explain the patient's symptoms. …”

“…Our attention was drawn to the fact that this author made no reference to a number of studies previously published by us [2,3] and other authors [4,5] which mention the association of intradural herniations or cysts with gas within the spinal canal.…”