Question
A three-month-old boy was diagnosed with a spinal epidural cyst on the left side of his head, with twitching symptoms that had lasted for about a month. What was the past treatment situation and its effects? What kind of help is needed now? I would like to ask how this condition should be treated? What symptoms should be noted?
Answer
Spinal epidural cysts can be classified into two types: congenital and secondary. The former is due to developmental issues, while the latter often result from trauma, inflammation, etc., leading to widespread adhesions of the dura mater. A congenital spinal epidural cyst is a cystic structure formed by cerebrospinal fluid being trapped in the dura mater. For asymptomatic children, surgical treatment can eliminate the potential impact of the cyst on developmental abnormalities of brain lobes, metabolic abnormalities of brain tissue, etc. When the cyst enlarges and causes increased intracranial pressure or related cerebral edema, subdural hematoma, neurolocalized damage, seizures related to the cyst, or imaging shows brain tissue compression, surgical treatment should be considered. The purpose of surgical treatment is to relieve pressure. Surgical methods include craniotomy to remove the cyst wall, cyst shunt surgery to open the connection between the cyst and the subarachnoid space or ventricle, and installation of a shunt device for cyst shunt surgery. Since the cyst wall has a secretory function, removing the entire cyst wall is the most appropriate method.