HOMEPRODUCTSCOMPANYCONTACTFAQResearchDictionaryPharmaSign Up FREE or Login

Foramen magnum arachnoid cyst induces compression of the spinal cord and syringomyelia: case report and literature review.

Abstract
It is very rare that a foramen magnum arachnoid cyst induces compression of the spinal cord and syringomyelia, and currently there are few treatment experiences available. Here we reported the case of a 43-year-old male patient who admitted to the hospital due to weakness and numbness of all 4 limbs, with difficulty in urination and bowel movement. MRI revealed a foramen magnum arachnoid cyst with associated syringomyelia. Posterior fossa decompression and arachnoid cyst excision were performed. Decompression was fully undertaken during surgery; however, only the posterior wall of the arachnoid cyst was excised, because it was almost impossible to remove the whole arachnoid cyst due to toughness of the cyst and tight adhesion to the spinal cord. Three months after the surgery, MRI showed a reduction in the size of the arachnoid cyst but syrinx still remained. Despite this, the symptoms of the patient were obviously improved compared to before surgery. Thus, for the treatment of foramen magnum arachnoid cyst with compression of the spinal cord and syringomyelia, if the arachnoid cyst could not be completely excised, excision should be performed as much as possible with complete decompression of the posterior fossa, which could result in a satisfying outcome.
AuthorsHaiyan Huang, Yuanqian Li, Kan Xu, Ye Li, Limei Qu, Jinlu Yu
JournalInternational journal of medical sciences (Int J Med Sci) Vol. 8 Issue 4 Pg. 345-50 ( 2011) ISSN: 1449-1907 [Electronic] Australia
PMID21647327 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article, Review)
Topics
  • Adult
  • Arachnoid Cysts (complications, pathology, surgery)
  • Decompression, Surgical (methods)
  • Foramen Magnum (pathology)
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Spinal Cord (pathology)
  • Spinal Cord Compression (complications, etiology, pathology, surgery)
  • Syringomyelia (complications, etiology, pathology)
  • Treatment Outcome

Join CureHunter, for free Research Interface BASIC access!

Take advantage of free CureHunter research engine access to explore the best drug and treatment options for any disease. Find out why thousands of doctors, pharma researchers and patient activists around the world use CureHunter every day.
Realize the full power of the drug-disease research graph!


Choose Username:
Email:
Password:
Verify Password:
Enter Code Shown: