Neuroenteric cyst: A rare cause of childhood hemiparesis

Abstract

Neuroenteric cysts are rare congenital anomalies derived from the displaced endodermal tissue at around third embryonic week. These are commonly encountered in the mediastinum and rarely seen in the spinal canal in the intradural extramedullary and at times in intramedullary location. We report a case of neuroenteric cyst of spinal canal presenting with hemiparesis in a 12 years old female child. The patient had no associated underlying occult spinal deformity. On investigation her magnetic resonance imaging, revealed evidence of well-defined, intradural extramedullary cystic lesions at C6 to D2 vertebral level, situated anterior and right to the cord causing posterior and leftward displacement with marked cord compression at this level. The child underwent posterior laminectomy and excision of cyst with complete recovery and no residual deficit.

Keywords

Hemiparesis - neuroenteric cyst - spinal cord