Operative treatment of symptomatic nerve root cysts]

AIM OF THE STUDY: Nerve root cysts are often asymptomatic and show a predilective manifestation for the lumbo-sacral spine. Depending on their size and the anatomic relationship to the nerve roots they may cause symptoms such as pain or even neurological deficits. From the therapeutical point of view, different moldalities of intervention are controversially discussed because the clinical importance of this entity is still unclear. There are curative as well as symptomatic therapeutic options. The curative therapy includes surgical excision of the cyst and duraplasty whereas the symptomatic therapy is limited to drainage of the cyst. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the role of surgical excision of the cyst with duraplasty using microsurgical techniques. METHOD: This study included 13 patients who suffered from pain and neurological deficits with myelographically and MRI proven sacral nerve root cysts. All patients underwent surgery for cyst excision plus duraplasty. RESULTS: Clinical symptoms such as pain and sensory deficits significantly improved in all patients postoperatively. 85 % of the patients showed a full recovery from the previously existing radicular pain and motoric as well as sensory deficits. All patients reported a significant improvement of their preoperative loss in muscle strength. CONCLUSION: Surgical excision combined with duraplasty using microsurgical techniques has proven to be the method of choice in the treatment of symptomatic sacral nerve root cysts.     

Diagnosis and surgical strategy for sacral meningeal cysts with check-valve mechanism: technical note

Objective

There is agreement that symptomatic sacral meningeal cysts with a check-valve mechanism and/or large cysts representing space-occupying lesions should be treated surgically. This study investigated factors indicating a need for surgical intervention and surgical techniques for sacral meningeal cysts with a check-valve mechanism.

Methods

In ten patients presenting with sciatica and neurological deficits, myelography, computed tomography (CT) myelography, and magnetic resonance imaging (MR imaging) detected sacral meningeal cysts with a check-valve mechanism. One patient had two primary cysts. Ten cysts were type 2 and one cyst was type 1. Nine of the ten patients had not undergone previous surgery, while the remaining case involved recurrent cyst. For the seven patients with normal (i.e., not huge or recurrent) type 2 cysts and no previous surgery (eight cysts), suture after collapse of the cyst wall was performed. For the recurrent type 2 cyst, duraplasty and suture with collapse of the cyst wall were performed to eliminate the check-valve mechanism. For the remaining type 2 cyst, a primary root was sacrificed because of the huge size of the cyst. For the type 1 cyst, the neck of the cyst was ligated.

Results

In all cases, chief complaints disappeared immediately postoperatively and no deterioration of clinical symptoms has been seen after a mean follow-up of 27 months.

Conclusions

The presence or absence of a check-valve mechanism is very important in determining the need for surgical intervention for sacral meningeal cysts.     

症状性骶管内囊肿的诊断与治疗

目的：探讨症状性骶管内蛛网膜囊肿的诊断与治疗方法.方法：对12例以骶管内神经受压表现为主,如腰骶部疼痛、下肢痛、会阴部疼痛,鞍区麻木不适,大小便障碍,下肢无力患者,行MRI检查.结合临床症状、体征及MRI表现明确诊断为症状性骶管内囊肿后行手术治疗.手术均在显微镜下操作.对未见明显交通孔的7例中5例行囊壁大部切除后残存囊壁修补缝扎,2例因硬脊膜缺如,无法修补而行囊肿部分切除旷置;5例有交通孔的患者中,2例囊肿大部切除后用肌肉填塞交通孔,2例因交通孔处理困难未作特殊处理,1例囊肿大部切除后,切开交通孔处硬脊膜以扩大交通孔至脑脊液通畅流出,消除交通孔的单向阀门作用.严密缝合切口,术后采取头低臀高俯卧位.结果：骶管内囊肿在MRI上表现为骶管内单发或多发类圆形或椭圆形的软组织影,呈长T1、长T2表现,信号与脑脊液相同.术后2例出现少量皮下积液,加压包扎2～3个月后自行吸收,无1例脑脊液漏.随访3个月～4年6个月,平均18.3个月,症状完全缓解8例,部分缓解3例,1例3个月后症状复发,MRI检查示囊肿较术前轻微扩大,未再次手术.结论：MRI检查是正确诊断骶管内蛛网膜囊肿的有力手段,伴有临床症状、体征者应考虑手术治疗.对囊肿的处理以囊肿大部切除为主,严密缝合切口各层及术后合理体位可以有效防止并发症的发生.     

椎管内蛛网膜囊肿临床表现及其手术方式

目的:分析椎管内蛛网膜囊肿的临床表现、手术方式及其治疗效果,为椎管内蛛网膜囊肿诊断和手术治疗方案的合理选择提供依据.方法:回顾分析21例椎管内蛛网膜囊肿临床表现、手术方式及术后效果,男9例,女12例;年龄21～55岁,平均36.15岁;病程2个月～3年,平均6.2个月.21例椎管内蛛网膜囊肿中1例发生于颈段、1例发生于胸段、19例发生于骶部,表现为受累神经支配区的放射性疼痛、感觉异常、功能障碍.16例经CT结合椎管造影明确诊断,其余通过MRI明确诊断.8例采用囊肿切除、囊颈部结扎、硬膜重叠紧缩缝合手术;11例囊肿壁与神经难以分离,采用囊肿壁部分切除、交通口肌肉堵塞、硬膜紧缩缝合手术;2例串珠状囊肿,其交通口未能找到,采用囊肿开窗引流、囊壁部分切除、硬膜重叠紧缩缝合、游离肌肉压迫固定.结果:19例患者获得随访,随访时间2个月～5年3个月,平均21.2个月.囊肿切除、囊颈部结扎手术组的优良为6例,囊肿壁部分切除、交通口肌肉堵塞组的优良为8例.结论:椎管内蛛网膜囊肿是蛛网膜的先天性畸形,以骶部椎管好发,大多数临床表现为受累神经的功能异常;具有手术指征的病例,术中应根据囊肿开口、囊肿壁是否能与神经分离等情况选择不同的囊肿处理方法.     

Tarlov cysts: a report of two cases

Perineural cysts are common and usually detected incidentally during magnetic resonance imaging of the lumbosacral spine. Treatment is indicated only when the cyst is symptomatic. We report one such patients presented with cauda equina syndrome and another with low back pain with claudication. They underwent excision and duraplasty; both motor and sensory fibres were carefully separated from the cyst wall using a nerve root retractor and penfield. There was no nerve root damage or neural deficit. Symptoms were relieved postoperatively.     

骶管内蛛网膜囊肿的外科治疗

目的 :探讨骶管内蛛网膜囊肿的诊断及治疗方法。方法 :2 3例骶管内蛛网膜囊肿病人行椎板减压后 ,对囊肿的处理有 3种方法 :13例行囊肿大部分切除后 ,重新缝合残余的囊肿以包绕囊内神经根 ;8例囊肿大部分切除后用肌肉填塞交通孔 ;2例囊肿切开旷置。平均随访 3 0 2个月 ,观察疗效。并对其临床表现 ,手术中的病理特点 ,手术后的并发症 ,以及X线片 ,CT ,CTM ,MRI等影像学资料进行分析。结果 :MRI可清楚显示囊肿呈长T1及T2信号 ,信号强度与脑脊液一致。临床症状以骶管内神经受压表现为主 ,囊肿与硬膜囊一般有交通孔。囊肿切除后重新缝合包绕神经组与囊肿切除肌肉填塞组优良率并无统计学差异。术后并发症有皮肤糜烂和颅内感染。结论 :MRI是最好的影像学诊断方法 ;骶管内蛛网膜囊肿的发生是由于先天的硬膜缺隐所致。对囊肿的处理以囊肿切除 ,肌肉填塞封堵交通孔最为合理。术后不宜放引流及平卧。     

Tarlov cyst: Case report and review of literature

We describe a case of sacral perineural cyst presenting with complaints of low back pain with neurological claudication. The patient was treated by laminectomy and excision of the cyst. Tarlov cysts (sacral perineural cysts) are nerve root cysts found most commonly in the sacral roots, arising between the covering layer of the perineurium and the endoneurium near the dorsal root ganglion. The incidence of Tarlov cysts is 5% and most of them are asymptomatic, usually detected as incidental findings on MRI. Symptomatic Tarlov cysts are extremely rare, commonly presenting as sacral or lumbar pain syndromes, sciatica or rarely as cauda equina syndrome. Tarlov cysts should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients presenting with these complaints.     

骶管内囊肿的诊断及其发生机制的探讨

目的：探讨骶管内蛛网膜囊肿的影像学特点发生机制。方法：观察24例手术证实的骶管内蛛网膜囊肿病人的X线片、CT、造影后CT、MRI等影像资料，分析其临床特点及术中的病理特点。结果：5例X线片显示骶骨侵蚀性改变，5例CT显示骶骨侵蚀性改变及骶管内囊肿，1例造影后CT囊肿内造影剂显影，22例MRI显示囊肿呈长T1及T2信号，信号强度与脑脊液一致。临床症状以骶管内神经受压表现为主，囊肿与硬膜囊一般有交通孔。交通孔为瓣膜样。结论：MRI是最好的影像学诊断方法；骶管内蛛网膜囊肿的发生是由于先天的硬膜缺陷所致；瓣膜样交通孔是病程进展的结果。     

Tarlov Cyst and Infertility

Background/Objective: Tarlov cysts or spinal perineurial cysts are uncommon lesions. These are mostly incidental findings on magnetic resonance imaging or myelograms. The objectives of this study were to describe Tarlov cysts of the sacral region as a potential cause for retrograde ejaculations and review available management options.

Methods: Case report and literature review.

Results: A 28-year-old man presented with back pain and retrograde ejaculations resulting in infertility. After microsurgical excision of large perineurial cysts, back pain resolved, but semen quality showed only marginal improvement. Later, the couple successfully conceived by intrauterine insemination. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case of Tarlov cyst associated with retrograde ejaculation and infertility.

Conclusions: Despite being mostly asymptomatic and an incidental finding, Tarlov cyst is an important clinical entity because of its tendency to increase in size with time. Tarlov cysts of the sacral and cauda equina region may be a rare underlying cause in otherwise unexplained retrograde ejaculations and infertility. Microsurgical excision may be a good option in a select group of patients.     

Surgical evaluation and management of symptomatic lumbosacral meningeal cysts

Sacral meningeal cysts are a fairly common finding in the workup of sciatica. In most instances, a cyst causes no symptoms. Occasionally, a symptomatic sacral cyst may present with chronic low back pain (radiculopathy), sensory loss in sacral dermatomes, perineal pain, or bowel or bladder dysfunction. Compared with computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging shows meningeal cysts more often and allows better localization of sacral cysts. In this article, we present clinical guidelines that may be used to distinguish symptomatic cysts from asymptomatic cysts. We conclude that surgical treatment of a symptomatic cyst may include laminectomy with fenestration and imbrication of the cyst--or percutaneous treatment methods. Surgery for sacral meningeal cysts can lead to successful improvement of pain and function in activities of daily living in more than 80% of cases.     

骶部硬膜外囊肿的诊断

目的 探讨骶部硬膜外囊肿诊断中临床表现和CT、MRI、腰椎管造影检查的价值。方法 对13例经手术证实为骶部硬膜外囊肿患者的术前病史、体检及CT、MRI、腰椎管造影检查作回顾性分析。结果 腰腿痛与体位变化有关系，在诊断中具有重要意义，阳性率CT为53．8％，MRI为75％，腰椎管造影为84．6％。结论 在骶部硬膜外囊肿诊断中，应重视腰腿痛与体位变化的关系，强调腰椎管造影时站立延迟透视的重要性。CT、MRI及腰椎管造影检查不能互相替代。     

骶管内蛛网膜囊肿的外科治疗

目的探讨骶管内蛛网膜囊肿的诊断及治疗方法。方法23例骶管内蛛网膜囊肿患者行椎板减压术后,分别对囊肿进行处理。13例行囊肿大部切除后,重新缝合残余部分以包绕囊内神经根;8例囊肿大部切除后用肌肉填塞交通孔;2例囊肿切开旷置。随访时间3个月～11年2个月,平均30.2个月,观察疗效,并对其临床表现,术中的病理特点,术后并发症,以及X线片、CT、CTM、MRI等影像学资料进行分析。结果MRI可清晰地显示囊肿呈长T1及T2信号,信号强度与脑脊液一致。临床症状以骶管内神经受压表现为主,囊肿与硬膜囊一般有交通孔。囊肿切除后重新缝合包绕神经组与囊肿切除肌肉填塞组优良率并无统计学差异。术后并发症有皮肤糜烂和颅内感染。结论骶管内蛛网膜囊肿的发生是由于先天性硬脊膜缺陷所致。对囊肿的处理以囊肿切除、肌肉填塞封堵交通孔最为合理。术后以不放引流条及忌平卧为宜。     

Chronic perineal pain related to sacral meningeal cysts.

Chronic perineal pain is an often encountered problem that is difficult to evaluate. Based on a series of 17 patients in whom urological, gynecological, and anorectal pathology was excluded, the authors compared magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with computed tomographic (CT) scan with myelography in the investigation of chronic perineal pain. After a clinical neurological examination, patients underwent radiodiagnostic imaging of both techniques. Thirteen patients (76%) had one or more sacral meningeal cysts (MC) on MRI scan, whereas CT scan with myelography of the lumbar and sacral region revealed 7 patients (41%) with sacral MC. Sacral MC may be the etiology of chronic perineal pain in many instances, and MRI scan appears to be superior to CT scan with myelography in demonstrating sacral MC. Ten patients with sacral MC were operated on with moderate to excellent results 6 months after operation. Early postoperative results are encouraging, but further follow-up and larger series are required.     

Tarlov Cyst and Infertility

Background/Objective:

Tarlov cysts or spinal perineurial cysts are uncommon lesions. These are mostly incidental findings on magnetic resonance imaging or myelograms. The objectives of this study were to describe Tarlov cysts of the sacral region as a potential cause for retrograde ejaculations and review available management options.

Methods:

Case report and literature review.

Results:

A 28-year-old man presented with back pain and retrograde ejaculations resulting in infertility. After microsurgical excision of large perineurial cysts, back pain resolved, but semen quality showed only marginal improvement. Later, the couple successfully conceived by intrauterine insemination. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case of Tarlov cyst associated with retrograde ejaculation and infertility.

Conclusions:

Despite being mostly asymptomatic and an incidental finding, Tarlov cyst is an important clinical entity because of its tendency to increase in size with time. Tarlov cysts of the sacral and cauda equina region may be a rare underlying cause in otherwise unexplained retrograde ejaculations and infertility. Microsurgical excision may be a good option in a select group of patients.     

Intradural spinal arachnoid cysts in adults

BACKGROUND: Idiopathic arachnoid cysts are rare lesions not associated with trauma or other inflammatory insults. To date, there have been few large series describing the presentation and management of these lesions. METHODS: Twenty-one cases of intradural spinal arachnoid cysts were identified (1994-2001). Pediatric patients and cases with antecedent trauma were excluded. There were eight women and 13 men with an average age of 52 years. Follow-up averaged 17 months. RESULTS: Cysts were most commonly found in the thoracic spine (81%). Fifteen cysts were dorsal to the spinal cord and six were ventral to the spinal cord. All patients underwent laminectomy with cyst fenestration and radical cyst wall resection. Based upon intraoperative ultrasonography, four cysts were also shunted to the subarachnoid space, and seven patients had an expansile duraplasty with freeze-dried dural allograft. Of the seven patients with syringomyelia, three resolved with extramedullary cyst resection alone. Four required syrinx to subarachnoid shunting. Follow-up MRI demonstrated cyst resolution in all cases. All seven intramedullary syrinxes were decreased in size and four resolved completely. Weakness (100%), hyperreflexia (91%), and incontinence (80%) were more likely to improve than neuropathic pain (44%) and numbness (33%). One patient had increased numbness postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: Ventral cysts are more likely to cause weakness and myelopathic signs. Preoperative symptoms of neuropathic pain and numbness are less likely to improve than weakness and myelopathy. Utilizing intraoperative ultrasound to guide aggressive surgical treatment with the adjuncts of shunting and duraplasty results in a high rate of cyst and syrinx obliteration.     

Sacral cyst managed with cyst-subarachnoid shunt: a technical case report

STUDY DESIGN: This report describes the cyst-subarachnoid shunt, a novel surgical treatment, for sacral cysts. OBJECTIVE: To introduce a new surgical technique for sacral cysts. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: There is no consensus on the appropriate treatment for symptomatic sacral cysts. The hydrostatic and pulsatile forces of cerebrospinal fluid are attributed to the growth of the cyst and their becoming symptomatic. METHODS: The clinical and radiologic features of a 41-year-old man with a symptomatic sacral cyst are detailed. A cyst-subarachnoid shunt was set to equalize the cerebrospinal fluid pressure between the cephalad thecal sac and the cyst. RESULTS: Immediately after surgery, the patient had no pain in his left leg and was free of pain at 2 years. Magnetic resonance imaging 1 year after surgery showed a decrease in the size of the cyst. CONCLUSION: Although this is a preliminary study, a cyst-subarachnoid shunt can be a useful alternative for symptomatic sacral cysts.     

骶管内蛛网膜囊肿的MRI表现及诊断价值

目的 探讨骶管内蛛网膜囊肿的MRI特点及其诊断价值.方法 28例骶管内蛛网膜囊肿经手术病理证实.其中其中男19例,女9例,年龄16～70岁,平均41.6岁.所有病例均行MR检查.结果 囊肿位于骶管内,呈卵圆形、不规则形、串珠形.囊肿境界清楚,囊壁薄,囊液信号与脑脊液信号相似,T1WI囊液呈低信号,T2WI囊液呈高信号,其中4例囊肿内可见细条状神经根影,6例增强扫描囊液、囊壁无强化.结论 MRI是最好的影像学诊断方法;骶管内蛛网膜囊肿的发生,主要是先天的硬膜缺陷所致.     

Variation in management based on type of choledochal cyst

The management of 23 patients treated for choledochal cysts at the Oregon Health Sciences University between 1969 and 1990 is reviewed. The median age was 27 years, with a range from 1 month to 90 years. Seventy-eight percent of patients presented with abdominal pain, and 35% were jaundiced. Three patients presented with cholangitis, two with cyst rupture, and one with recurrent pancreatitis. Nine patients had had previous biliary surgery. The diagnosis was made in all patients with ultrasound and/or cholangiography. Fifteen patients (65%) had type I cysts, 2 had a type II cyst, 5 (22%) had type III cysts, and 1 had a type IV cyst. Stones were present in four (17%) cysts, and all excised cysts were benign. Seventeen patients with type I and II choledochal cysts had complete cyst excision and choledochoenterostomy. Four of five patients with type III cysts had endoscopic cyst incision and drainage, while the fifth patient had transduodenal cyst excision and sphincteroplasty. The patient with a type IV cyst had extrahepatic cyst excision and choledochojejunostomy. There were no operative deaths. Two postoperative complications occurred: cholangitis and a prolonged ileus. All patients had resolution of their pain and jaundice. Two patients had late cholangitis. Cyst excision and choledochojejunostomy are the treatment of choice for types I and II choledochal cysts. Extrahepatic cyst excision and choledochojejunostomy may be adequate treatment for type IV cysts. Endoscopic incision and drainage is appropriate for selected patients with type III cysts.     

Surgical treatment of sacral perineural cyst--case report

A 67-year-old man presented with persistent penis and scrotum pain due to S-2 and S-3 radiculopathy caused by a sacral perineural cyst. The cyst was treated with microsurgical partial cyst removal and cyst wall imbrication, together with closure of the point through which cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flowed from the subarachnoid space into the cyst cavity. His pain resolved without recurrence of the cyst or complications. Symptomatic perineural cysts are quite rare. Surgical closure of the point through which CSF flows from the subarachnoid space into the cyst cavity is the most important intervention for symptomatic perineural cysts. If the source of CSF leakage cannot be detected, placement of a cyst-subarachnoid shunt should be considered in addition to partial cyst removal and cyst wall imbrication.     

Simple surgical treatment of nonparasitic hepatic cysts.

Benign nonparasitic liver cysts are uncommon lesions. Incidental diagnosis is increasing with the advent of routine abdominal computed tomography and ultrasound scanning. Cysts that attain massive proportions often become symptomatic and require therapeutic intervention. Surgical resection and Roux-en-Y cystojejunostomy drainage have been the treatments of choice, but simpler unroofing techniques without drainage have recently been employed with success. Three patients with symptomatic, large, nonparasitic cysts were surgically treated in such a fashion without complication and form the basis of this report. The technique of wide unroofing involves excision of the nonhepatic cyst wall with oversewing of communicating biliary radicals. No recurrences have been detected in follow-up screening. Wide unroofing is a simple and yet reliable surgical option for the treatment of symptomatic hepatic cysts.