Spinal Arachnoid Cysts and Their Intraoperative Differentiation From Spinal Cord Herniation: A Single-Center Cohort Study

SAC are rare lesions causing spinal cord compression, often misdiagnosed as VMH or VMA. Our study promotes intraoperative ultrasound as a handy tool for precise surgical planning and accurate diagnosis. It enables precise cyst localization and thus improving outcomes by reducing the extent of procedures. As a consequence of surgical manipulation of the myelon, potentially by the ventral dura inspection, some patients may experience neurological decline. These findings highlight the potential of intraoperative ultrasound in enhancing surgical strategy for SAC and suspected VMH/VMA.