Lumbar intradural extramedullary bronchiogenic cyst.

The pathological findings of an intradural and extramedullary cyst at the L1 level of the spinal canal are described in a 28-year-old male who presented with chronic lumbago and progressive weakness and numbness in both lower limbs. Histopathological examination revealed the diagnosis of bronchiogenic cyst. Bronchiogenic cysts in the spinal canal are uncommon, and cysts at the L1 level are extremely rare. Their pathogenesis is still poorly understood. They are thought to be a malformation arising from a split notochordal syndrome. We conclude that intradural extramedullary bronchiogenic cysts may appear also at lumbar levels. Surgical resection can be achieved with good outcome. (c) 2008 S. Karger AG, Basel.