Clinical and radiological features of spinal extradural arachnoid cysts: Valve-like mechanism involving the nerve root fiber as a possible cause of cyst expansion

摘要

Background: Although a valve-like mechanism has been proposed for expansion of spinal extradural arachnoid cysts (SEACs), the detailed mechanism remains unclear. Moreover, closure of the communication site is essential during surgery, but the method to identify the communication site remains unclear. The aim of this study was to determine the detailed mechanism of expanding SEACs through retrospective analysis of SEAC cases undergoing surgery and to elucidate the characteristics of the communication sites.