REMOVAL OF ENTEROGENOUS CYST OF THE CERVICAL-SPINE THROUGH ANTERIOR APPROACH

Enterogenous cyst is a cause of spinal cord compression. The cyst has been treated surgically through a posterior approach in spite of the l ocation ventral to the spinal cord. We saw two patients who had recurr ence at 1 and 3 years after partial removal through this approach. We removed the cyst at the level of the cervical spine in four patients t otally or subtotally through an anterior approach. All patients improv ed neurologically, and there were no signs or symptoms of recurrence a t follow-up of from 2 to 13 years (average, 7 years 3 months). It is r easonable to approach the cyst located ventrally to the spinal cord th rough the anterior route, where the relationship between the cyst wall and the spinal card can be viewed directly.