Dorsal thoracic arachnoid web presenting as neuropathic pain: 'Scalpel' sign found on MRI.
Dorsal thoracic arachnoid webs are due to a deformity in the formation of arachnoid membrane in the spinal arachnoid space. These webs usually occur in the upper thoracic spine and are viewed on imaging as a pathogonomic 'scalpel' sign because of the resemblance on sagittal MRI to a surgical scalpel. We describe a case of a patient with a neuropathic pain presentation. After MR imaging, a focal dorsal indentation of the upper thoracic spinal cord at the T3-T4 level with the scalpel sign was found. This sign indicates that the patient's neuropathic pain was caused by the dorsal thoracic arachnoid web.
Department of Psychiatry, Hofstra Northwell Health - Staten Island University Hospital, USA rohitaiyer@gmail.com.
Rohit
R
Aiyer
Department of Neurology, Hofstra Northwell Health - Staten Island University Hospital, USA.
Yasir
Y
El-Sherif
Department of Radiology, Hofstra Northwell Health - Staten Island University Hospital, USA.
Lynne
L
Voutsinas
D001099:Arachnoid / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009437:Neuralgia / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D013595:Syringomyelia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*
Arachnoid web; dorsal thoracic arachnoid web; neuropathic pain; scalpel sign