Spinal pseudomeningocoele: a diagnostic dilemma

Abstract

Case report: A case of progressive sacral swelling in a paraplegic man who sustained spinal cord injury 14 years ago is presented. Although his clinical features were suggestive of pseudomeningocoele, we were unable to confirm the diagnosis preoperatively. Conclusion: Traumatic spinal pseudomeningocoele is very rare. Even with the available modern diagnostic imaging techniques, it is still difficult to diagnose a spinal pseudomeningocoele.

Post-exertional thoracic pseudomeningocoele in a 41-year-old woman: a rare cause of interscapular pain

“…It is reported that the diagnosis of pseudomeningocoeles is not always straightforward and a number of them are asymptomatic. 1 Post-exertional thoracic pseudomeningocoele in a 41-year-old woman: a rare cause of interscapular pain We present an unusual case of a previously healthy 41-year-old lady who acutely developed severe, disabling interscapular pain while lifting heavy boxes. She had no associated neurological deficits.…”

“…In the former, CSF escapes from the subarachnoid space to lie in the extradural space, and in time becomes covered by a false capsule or in some instances an intact arachnoid layer, 1 while in the latter all layers of the meninges are present in the sac.…”

“…Pseudomeningocoeles usually form in the setting of trauma or as a complication of intentional or accidental durotomy at surgery, [1][2][3][4][5][6] while true meningocoeles occur in the setting of spinal dysraphism.…”

“…http://dx.doi.org/10.17159/2078-5151/2017/v65n3a2464 A history of spinal trauma or else surgery to the spine is helpful in increasing the index of suspicion for the condition, and this should always be considered in the appropriate clinical setting. 1,2,[4][5][6][7] Where symptoms do occur, these have been ascribed to the sheer size that some of these lesions can achieve, or else neurological deficits occasioned by herniation into or compression of nerve roots and the spinal cord into the sac. 2,[4][5][6][7] The management of symptomatic psedomeningocoeles of the spine is generally by direct exposure of the lesion, removal of the cyst wall and repair of the dural defect.…”

“…2,[4][5][6][7] The management of symptomatic psedomeningocoeles of the spine is generally by direct exposure of the lesion, removal of the cyst wall and repair of the dural defect. 1,2 Some large ones have been managed indirectly by CSF diversion shunts, 6 while there are reports of spontaneous resolution of pseudomeningocoeles. 8,9 This case report is unique in that there is hardly any mention in the literature of this condition occurring in the setting of physical exertion.…”