Sacral cyst managed with cyst-subarachnoid shunt: a technical case report.
METHODS
This report describes the cyst-subarachnoid shunt, a novel surgical treatment, for sacral cysts.


OBJECTIVE
To introduce a new surgical technique for sacral cysts.


BACKGROUND
There is no consensus on the appropriate treatment for symptomatic sacral cysts. The hydrostatic and pulsatile forces of cerebrospinal fluid are attributed to the growth of the cyst and their becoming symptomatic.


METHODS
The clinical and radiologic features of a 41-year-old man with a symptomatic sacral cyst are detailed. A cyst-subarachnoid shunt was set to equalize the cerebrospinal fluid pressure between the cephalad thecal sac and the cyst.


RESULTS
Immediately after surgery, the patient had no pain in his left leg and was free of pain at 2 years. Magnetic resonance imaging 1 year after surgery showed a decrease in the size of the cyst.


CONCLUSIONS
Although this is a preliminary study, a cyst-subarachnoid shunt can be a useful alternative for symptomatic sacral cysts.
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Tottori University, Faculty of Medicine, Yonago, Japan. yauo@grape.med.tottori-u.ac.jp
Y
Y
Morio
Y
Y
Nanjo
H
H
Nagashima
T
T
Minamizaki
R
R
Teshima
D000328:Adult; D016080:Arachnoid Cysts / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D002557:Cerebrospinal Fluid Shunts / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008578:Meninges / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011859:Radiography; D012447:Sacrum / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D013126:Spinal Nerve Roots / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D013346:Subarachnoid Space / Q000502:physiology / Q000601:surgery; D016896:Treatment Outcome