Spinal Arachnoid Diverticula

Abstract

The spinal arachnoid diverticula are formed by the partial seclusion of the subarachnoid space. They occurred more frequently in the dorsal than the cervical spinal canal. Smaller diverticula are frequently found in Pantopaque myelography. The large ones produce symptoms by gravitational traction upon the spinal cord. Twelve patients have been studied during the last six years, and five have been surgically treated. Microscopic examination of the excised arachnoidea including the wall of the diverticula showed no evidence of adhesive arachnoiditis. The technique used in myelography for the visualisation of the spinal arachnoid diverticula has been described. Sacral perineurial cysts are frequent concomitant findings in spinal arachnoid diverticula.