Filar cyst

Case contributed by Sipan Mathevosian
Diagnosis probable

Presentation

A full term infant with a simple sacral dimple and unremarkable neurological exam.

ultrasound

Fusiform simple cyst (blue arrow) measuring 8 x 3 mm located just caudal to the termination of a normal conus medullaris (red arrow).

Case Discussion

A filar cyst is located in the filum terminale of the spinal cord and is considered a normal variant. It is not in the spectrum of spinal dysraphism. Filar cysts should not be confused for persistent terminal ventricles which are present in the conus medullaris. 

This case was submitted with supervision and input from:

Soni C. Chawla, M.D.
Associate Professor
Department of Radiological Sciences
David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA
Olive View - UCLA Medical Center

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