Spinal neurenteric cyst

Changed by Sonam Vadera, 4 Jan 2022

Updates to Article Attributes

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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

Location

The intraspinal cysts are usually intradural extramedullary (80-90%) 4 and ventral in location 5. They most commonly occur in the thoracic region (~40%).

Associations

Radiographic features

CT

The cyst is seen as a well-defined hypoattenuating lesion which may show soft-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 title="Neurenteric canal of Kovalevsky" href="/articles/neurenteric-canal-of-kovalevsky-1">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>
  • +<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-of-kovalevsky-1">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>, <a title="Butterfly vertebra" href="/articles/butterfly-vertebra">butterfly vertebra</a>, <a title="Scoliosis" href="/articles/scoliosis">scoliosis</a>, <a title="Split cord malformation" href="/articles/diastematomyelia">split cord</a> and <a href="/articles/spina-bifida">spina bifida</a> <sup>5,6</sup>

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