Lateral approach to a neurenteric cyst of the cervical spine: case presentation and review of surgical technique

The lateral cervical spinal approach is illustrated by a case of neurenteric cyst. To present a case of a neurenteric cyst resected the lateral cervical approach, and to review the approach in detail. Intradural lesions located anterior to the high cervical spinal cord may present a difficult surgical problem. Neurenteric cysts are unusual lesions found in the brain and spinal cord. This report presents a case of cervical neurenteric cyst causing anterior cord compression that was resected using the lateral cervical approach. A 32-year-old woman presented with chronic headaches and worsening nausea, tinnitus, dizziness, and hyperreflexia and clonus in her lower extremities. Magnetic resonance imaging of the cervical spine showed a mass compressing the anterior spinal cord at C3. Pathology showed that this lesion was a neurenteric cyst. The lesion was resected using the lateral cervical approach. At this writing, 36 months after surgery, the patient has continued resolution of her symptoms, and no cyst recurrence has been shown on repeat MRI imaging. She has no evidence of postlaminectomy kyphosis. The lateral cervical approach is useful for surgeons attempting to resect lateral and anterior intradural lesions of the cervical spine. It also gives excellent cranial-to-caudal access to the thecal sac, spinal cord, and the lesion to be resected. The neck incision preserves cosmesis, and neuromuscular function is maintained. Spinal fusion was avoided in the reported case.