title: Thoracic spinal epidural cysts.
abstract: Two cases of spinal cord compression by thoracic epidural cysts are reported. The first case, associated with a lipoma, is of a congenital type, while the second illustrates a rare mechanism of spinal cord compression caused by a post-traumatic cyst after stretching of the brachial plexus and tearing of the meningeal sheaths of nerve roots. Computed tomography of the spine is helpful in disclosing the cyst and associated malformation, particularly in congenital cases. The prognosis is good after removing the cyst and closing the fistula communicating with the subarachnoid space. Further surgical treatment may be required in complex congenital malformations.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003560:Cysts / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D004824:Epidural Space / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009192:Myelography; D013115:Spinal Canal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D013117:Spinal Cord Compression / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D013118:Spinal Cord Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D013126:Spinal Nerve Roots / Q000601:surgery; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed