Excision of an asymptomatic cervical intradural neurenteric cyst through the anterior approach: a study of two cases and a review of the literature

BackgroundSpinal neurenteric cysts are very rare lesions, especially after the second decade of life. They account for 0.3% to 0.5% of all spinal tumors and occur most commonly in ventral locations. The cysts are usually removed via a posterior approach.PurposeTo present the clinical and radiologic results of patients with spinal neurenteric cysts who were treated via anterior approach procedures.Study designThis report is composed of two cervical neurenteric cyst cases that are compared with published studies.MethodsWe present two patients, 41- and 39-year-old women, each with a cervical intradural neurenteric cyst. Both of these patients had apparent neck pain without neurological deficit. MRI revealed neurenteric cysts located at C7 and C7–T1 levels. After anterior corpectomy, the intradural cysts were removed, and then fusion was performed.ResultsThe postoperative period went well. The follow-up cervical MRI studies were performed at 3, 6, and 18 months postoperatively, and there were no abnormalities found.ConclusionsThis study has led to the conclusion that although neurenteric cysts are rare in adults, they can still be present with only persistent neck pain and without neurological deficits. This may lead to misdiagnosis. The importance of MRI is not controversial in the early diagnosis. An anterior approach may be considered the first preference for surgical technique in patients with ventrally located neurenteric cysts.