title: Unusual imaging finding of a "fluid-fluid" level in a neurenteric cyst at anterior margin of the cervico-medullary junction.
abstract: Intracranial neurenteric cysts are rare. Diagnosis can only be established on histopathology with the demonstration of mucin-secreting cells in cyst wall. We report a midline, ventral, cystic lesion at the cervico-medullary junction, with the unusual radiological finding of a "fluid-fluid" level. Intraoperatively, the cyst contained fluid along with pus-like material with white flakes and specks of calcification, suggesting a dermoid cyst. However, histopathology confirmed the diagnosis of neurenteric cyst. The patient was managed with right lateral inferior suboccipital approach and near-total excision of the lesion.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery Post-graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research , Chandigarh , India.
authors.forename: Manjul
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tripathi
authors.forename: Amey
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Savardekar
authors.forename: Rajesh
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Chhabra
authors.forename: Bishan D
authors.initials: BD
authors.lastname: Radotra
authors.forename: Sunil K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Gupta
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001706:Biopsy; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D009436:Neural Tube Defects / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: cervico–medullary junction; fluid–fluid level; neurenteric cyst; radiological mimicry