Epithelial cells in a so-called intraspinal neurenteric cyst: A light and electron microscopic study

A case of so-called intraspinal neurenteric cyst is described. A single epithelial cyst, associated with a dimple in the sacral region, was located ventral to the spinal cord in the lower cervical region. On light microscopy, a single epithelial layer lining the cyst wall contained a few ciliated cells and squamous cells, in addition to many goblet cells. An electron microscopic study also demonstrated three different kind of cells. The goblet cells contained many secretory granules, the ciliated cells had many cilia, and the squamous cells were characterized by abundant tonofilaments and desmosomes.     

Craniospinal neurenteric cyst

The case of a 40-year-old male with a neurenteric cyst located anterior to the brain stem and to the C1-C2 levels of the spinal cord is presented. The cyst was successfully removed by a transoral approach. The case is discussed and literature reviewed.     

Disseminated neurenteric cyst

This case report presents the unusual holospinal dissemination of a neurenteric cyst, which was successfully treated by fenestration and placement of a subarachnoid-peritoneal (SP) shunt. The patient was a 46-year-old Japanese woman with a history of fourth ventricle neurenteric cysts, which were managed with cyst fenestration in 1996 and 2005. She had been doing well until January 2006, when she developed dizziness and an unsteady gait. A neurological examination revealed a disturbance in the deep sensation of the feet. A neuroimaging evaluation demonstrated multiple cystic lesions in the whole spinal canal, which significantly distorted the spinal cord. Because the spinal cord distortion was the most severe in the lower cervical to upper thoracic areas, a unilateral osteoplastic laminotomy with an endoscopic cyst fenestration was performed in these areas, followed by placement of an SP shunt. The pathological diagnosis was a disseminated neurenteric cyst. There was no malignancy, and the patient has been well, with an improved gait and no signs of peritoneal dissemination, for > 1 year. The present case showed a unique extent of dissemination, which was most likely a secondary characteristic. Neurenteric cysts are well known for their tendency to recur, and total removal is usually difficult because of adhesion of the cyst membrane to important structures. The lesion also compromises cerebrospinal fluid circulation. Cyst fenestration combined with SP shunt placement might be a treatment option in such a case.     

Extradural neurenteric cyst of the cerebellopontine angle. Case report

Neurenteric cyst is a developmental malformation found mainly in the spinal canal. The authors report on a 47-year-old man with a neurenteric cyst of the cerebellopontine angle (CPA) who presented with progressive hearing disturbance and facial palsy. The tumor was located extradurally with marked destruction of the petrous bone around the internal auditory canal and demonstrated irregular and heterogeneous high-intensity signals on T1- and T2-weighted on MR images, which is atypical for neurenteric cysts. The pathological findings in samples obtained after resection disclosed a single epithelial layer (a feature of neurenteric cyst), which was accompanied by marked xanthogranulomatous changes. Although several neurenteric cysts have been reported in the CPA, extradural lesions with unusual imaging features and marked bone destruction have not been reported previously. This benign developmental lesion should be considered, although it is extremely rare, in patients harboring an extradural temporal bone tumor around the CPA.     

Prenatal diagnosis of a large, cervical, intraspinal, neurenteric cyst and postnatal outcome

Neurenteric cysts are rare congenital anomalies derived from the notochord and located in front of the spinal column, mostly at the cervical level. They consist of an intraspinal cystic component that is connected to a mediastinal or thoracic cyst. A case of a cervical, intraspinal, neurenteric cyst, diagnosed at 28 weeks of gestation and operated on at 3 and half months after birth, is reported. Herein, we discuss important features of this case including its rare occurrence, intrauterine diagnosis, and early surgical intervention. In conclusion, the nature of prenatal intradural cysts should be fully evaluated and differentiated between neurenteric cyst and other types of cysts with fetal ultrasonography. Therefore, it is essential to be aware of this potential cyst in fetal ultrasonography in utero. Neurenteric cyst should be considered in the differential diagnosis of cervical intradural cystic lesions. In infants, successful surgery provides a cure in patients with cervical neurenteric cysts.     

Lumbar intraspinal mucous cyst: case report

We report a case of an intraspinal mucous cyst, or ganglionic cyst, that irritated the fifth nerve root on the left in a patient who had previously undergone L4-L5 discectomy due to lumbosciatica. After a few months of complete well-being, the patient complained of the return of sciantica in the L5 region. Clinically, it looked like the recurrence of disc hernia, however, tests showed the presence of an extradural ganglionic cyst adjacent to the left joint facet between lumbar vertebrae IV and V. This lesion was not seen using radiography or computed tomography prior to discectomy. Surgical excision of the lesion was followed by rapid and full remission of the clinical symptoms. Histological tests confirmed the diagnosis of ganglion cyst. Received: 23 August 2001/Accepted: 4 September 2001     

Spinal neurenteric cyst in association with syringomyelia: case report.

A case of spinal neurenteric cyst in association with Klippel-Feil deformity, spinal lipoma, and syringomyelia is presented. Neuroradiological evaluation was performed by means of magnetic resonance imaging of the spine and a computed tomography myelograph. The diagnosis of neurenteric cyst was established by histological and immunohistochemical studies. The pathogenesis of syringomyelia associated with an extramedullary mass lesion is discussed.     

Fine surface structure of an intraspinal neurenteric cyst: a scanning and transmission electron microscopy study

The case of an 11-year-old boy with an intraspinal neurenteric cyst, which recurred 8 years and 3 months after surgery, is presented. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy of the cyst epithelium revealed marked resemblance to that of the respiratory tract, despite the presence of numerous goblet cells mimicking intestine on light microscopy study. Detailed ultrastructural findings are described.     

Intramedullary neurenteric cyst without an associated malformation. Case report

The authors report a case of an intramedullary neurenteric cyst without any associated dysraphic lesion. Unlike extramedullary intradural forms, this type of malformation remains rare. Our observation is one of the first to have been evaluated by magnetic resonance imaging. Theories concerning the embryogenesis of neurenteric cysts as well as their clinical characteristics and surgical treatment are discussed.     

Unusual massive neurinoma in the suboccipital region--case report

An 8-year-old boy with no evidence of von Recklinghausen's disease presented with an unusual neurinoma manifesting as a gradually progressive swelling in the suboccipital region over 2 years. The lesion was massive and had widely eroded the posterior aspects of the atlas, axis, and suboccipital bone. The tumor had involved the dura of the sigmoid and transverse sinuses, was highly vascular, and had encased the ipsilateral vertebral artery. The tumor was almost completely resected although with considerable loss of blood through a large rent in the right sigmoid sinus. This unusual benign neurinoma most probably arose from the second cervical ganglion.     

Intramedullary neurenteric cyst with a false mural nodule: case report

OBJECTIVE AND IMPORTANCE: Spinal neurenteric cysts are rare congenital lesions that may occur either alone or in the context of a complex malformative disorder including typical vertebral and cutaneous abnormalities. The interest of the case of a spinal neurenteric cyst described here lies in its rare intramedullary location and in the false mural nodule image on the preoperative magnetic resonance imaging scan. A further distinctive feature is the association with a cleft spinal cord. CLINICAL PRESENTATION: A 28-year-old woman presented with a 2-year history of progressive paraparesis and urinary retention. A magnetic resonance imaging study disclosed a T8-T9 intramedullary cystic lesion with a mural nodulelike formation on the posterior face. INTERVENTION: A posterior midline myelotomy exposed a cystic lesion that had translucent walls and contained a milky fluid. No mural nodules were found. Once the cyst had been emptied, a collateral finding was a cleft that was clearly observed in the anterior spinal cord. The histological diagnosis was a neurenteric cyst. Retrospectively, the nodular lesion found on the preoperative scan was attributed to mucinous clots deposited at the bottom of the cyst. CONCLUSION: This case report demonstrates that neurenteric cysts can vary widely in radiological appearance, depending on the contents of the cyst. These differences become especially important if the associated stigmata are lacking and the preoperative diagnosis rests on magnetic resonance imaging scan appearance alone.     

Symptomatic lumbar intraspinal synovial cyst: a case report

Synovial and ganglion cysts, also known as juxta-facet cysts, are intraspinal lesions that may mimic disc herniations and cause radicular symptoms. A 75-year-old male patient presented with a 6-month history of left leg pain and numbness in the foot that increased in severity within the past week. Physical examination showed motor deficit of the left extensor hallucis longus muscle (4/5) and hypoesthesia on the left L4-5 dermatomes. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed an intraspinal cyst originating from the L4-5 facet joint. Medial facetectomy and cyst excision were performed, which provided immediate relief of pain. He had no loss of strength of the extensor hallucis longus muscle and his neurologic examination was normal during the first postoperative year.     

腰骶部皮下肠源性囊肿1例

肠源性囊肿（enterogenous cysts）是一种少见的先天性疾患,好发于青少年。近期我科收治1例,经手术及病理检查证实,现报告如下。     

Angiographically occult arteriovenous malformation in the septal region--case report.

An occult arteriovenous malformation (AVM) in the septal region occurred in a 14-year-old boy, manifesting as headache and vomiting. Computed tomography showed a high-density mass in the septal region, faintly enhanced postcontrast. Mild hydrocephalus was also seen. Angiography revealed no abnormalities other than hydrocephalic signs. The lesion was totally removed by the transventricular approach after corticotomy of the left frontal lobe. The histological diagnosis was AVM. He was discharged without neurological or endocrinological deficits.     

Panhypopituitarism induced by cholesterol granuloma in the sellar region--case report

A 67-year-old man with generalized fatigue and weight loss developed hyponatremia. Endocrinologic examination demonstrated panhypopituitarism. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a pituitary mass extending slightly to the suprasellar region. Transsphenoidal resection of the tumor was performed. Histological examination found exclusively granulomatous tissue with cholesterol clefts, and no epithelial component. This cholesterol granuloma may be classified as xanthogranuloma of the sellar region.