Arachnoiditis ossificans

World Neurosurg. 2011 Nov;76(5):478.e12-4. doi: 10.1016/j.wneu.2010.12.001.

Abstract

Objective: Arachnoiditis ossificans is an uncommon clinical entity in which arachnoid ossification leads to clinical symptomatology. In this case report, we describe the case of a myelopathic patient with arachnoid ossifications, an arachnoid cyst, and syringomyelia coexisting with a herniated thoracic disc at the same levels.

Case description: An 81-year-old woman presented with rapidly progressive leg weakness, dysesthetic pains, and urinary incontinence.

Results: The patient underwent thoracic laminectomy with costotransversectomy for resection of ossified arachnoid and re-establishment of cerebrospinal fluid pathways.

Conclusion: Altered cerebrospinal fluid dynamics secondary to the obstruction in subarachnoid flow may predispose to the formation of an arachnoid cyst, and the cyst itself may be the proximate cause of the myelopathy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Arachnoid / diagnostic imaging
  • Arachnoid / pathology*
  • Arachnoid Cysts / diagnosis*
  • Arachnoid Cysts / etiology
  • Arachnoid Cysts / pathology
  • Arachnoiditis / complications
  • Arachnoiditis / diagnosis*
  • Arachnoiditis / pathology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Intervertebral Disc Displacement / pathology
  • Ossification, Heterotopic / complications
  • Ossification, Heterotopic / diagnosis*
  • Ossification, Heterotopic / pathology
  • Radiography
  • Spinal Cord Compression / diagnosis*
  • Spinal Cord Compression / etiology
  • Spinal Cord Compression / pathology
  • Spinal Cord Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Spinal Cord Diseases / etiology
  • Spinal Cord Diseases / pathology
  • Thoracic Vertebrae / pathology
  • Treatment Outcome

Supplementary concepts

  • Spinal intradural arachnoid cysts