Lateral intrathoracic meningocele associated with a spinal intradural arachnoid cyst.

A case of lateral intrathoracic meningocele associated with a spinal intradural arachnoid cyst is reported and the cases from the literature are reviewed. Both of these lesions were detected by magnetic resonance imaging and treated surgically. Intrathoracic meningoceles are often asymptomatic and diagnosed incidentally during the evaluation of an unrelated pathology. A patient with a spinal intradural arachnoid cyst may present with paraparesis mimicking an intradural tumor, and lateral intrathoracic meningocele may seldom accompany this lesion. A comprehensive radiological examination must be conducted and a higher index of suspicion by neurosurgeons is necessary. Copyright 2001 S. Karger AG, Basel