상흉추강내에 발생한 신경장 낭종 - 증 례 보 고 -

Neurenteric Cyst in Upper Thoracic Spinal Canal - Case Report -

Spinal neurenteric cyst results from the persistence of an abnormal communication between endodermal and ne-uroectodermal layer. Embryologically, neurenteric cyst is derived from endoderm that is fused with the developing notochord during the third week of gestation. It is a rare malformation that lead to spinal cord compression. The patient is 19-year-old male presented with chest pain, paresthesia and progressive weakness in his low extremities(grade II/II). Preoperative MR imaging revealed intradural extramedullary cyst with intracystic hemorrhage in T1 and T2 level that is ventrally located and compressed the spinal cord. Involved vertebral bodies were scalloped and fused. The cystic tumor were totally removed through costotransversectomy approach. Postoperatively, motor weakness of the low extremities were improved to the level of grade IV/V. And chest pain and paresthesia were gradually disappeared. Postoperative MR imaging showed the decompression of the thoracic spinal cord. Histologic examination revealed a ciliated columnar epithelial neurenteric cyst. The pre- and postoperative clinical, radiological features of a case of upper thoracic neurenteric cyst is described with review of literature.