1978 Volume 27 Issue 3 Pages 361-364
This paper reports two cases of spinal arachnoid diverticula with neurological impairment in the lower limbs.
Case 1. 50 years-old female had weakness of right lower limb and gait disturbance for 20 years. She was hospitalized in our clinic because of gradually progressive neurological impairment in the lower limbs. At admission she had spastic paresis and hyperactive tendon reflex of the lower limbs, gait disturbance, sensory disturbance below the level of T4 and muscle atrophy of the right lower limb. On myelography with the patient prone, there was no evidence of obstruction but in the supine position, five ovoid stractures filled with myodil at the level of T6-T11 were seen. These were defined sharply in the upright position. Laminectomy from the 6th to 11th thoracic vertebraes was carried out. The arachnoid looked thin, muddy and mesh formed, and was filled with colorless fluid and myodil. The abnormal arachnoid were resected as extensive as possible. Gait disturbance and paresthesia improved gradually in 6 months after operation.
Case 2. 55 years-old female has complained of back pain and weakness of both lower limbs for 10 years. The only neurological finding was hyperactive knee jerk on both sides and hyperactive ankle jerk on the right side. On myelography with the patient supine, two ovoid structures filled with myodil at the level of T3-4 and T4-5. Because of poor neurological sign, she was treated conservatively and the neurological signs have been observed.
