Fluctuating monoplegia due to venous insufficiency by spinal arachnoiditisossificans

This is the first report of a patient with venous insufficiency following c ompressive arachnoiditis ossificans (AO). Symptoms of fluctuating monoplegi a and sensory disturbance appeared monthly, lasting several weeks each time . Spinal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed high T2-weighted signal in tensity in the posterior portion of the column from T11 to T12 and an intra dural lesion with low T2-weighted signal intensity. Neurological function a nd MRI improved markedly following an operation on AO. The symptoms seen in the present case were due to posterior venous insufficiency following comp ressive AO. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science BSI. All rights reserved.