Thoracolumbar arachnoid cyst: case report and technique description

Introduction: The spinal arachnoid cyst (SAC) has an intradural, extradural or mixed location, is rare and is reported in the thoracic, lumbar and lumbosacral spine. Case report: Male with sudden loss of strength in left foot, urinary incontinence and sensory disturbances in lower limbs. Simple and contrast thoracolumbar MRI with intraspinal, extradural and extramedullary cystic lesion of T12-L1 with a compressive effect on the spinal cord. We performed decompressive laminectomy of T12-L1, hemilaminectomy of L2 and posterolateral instrumentation with transpedicular screws from T12-L1. Discussion: The SAC can debut with neurological deficit, with radiculopathy due to spinal cord compression. There is no consensus about the treatment, so it remains controversial. Conclusions: SAC is a rare and uncommon pathology that can present with evidence of neurological involvement either with radiculopathy or spinal cord compression. There is no consensus on its treatment, so definitive treatment remains controversial.