CSF bone cyst in a cervical vertebra

Abstract

A 43 year male patient presented with neck pain, upper limb paraesthesia and right foot weakness. A MRI scan revealed a bone cyst involving C4 spinous process, lamina, pedicles and the posterior part of the vertebral body causing focal spinal stenosis. A C4 laminectomy and C3-C5 lateral mass screw fixation was done. Intra-operatively the cyst was found to contain CSF with an associated dural defect. A CSF cervical vertebral cyst has not been previously reported in the literature. The clinical presentation, radiological features and management of this CSF vertebral cyst is discussed.

Key words:

• Cervical spine
• CSF leak
• spinal cord compression
• vertebra
• cyst

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.