Lateral intrathoracic meningocele associated with a spinal intradural arachnoid cyst

A case of lateral intrathoracic meningocele associated with a spinal intrad ural arachnoid cyst is reported and the cases from the literature are revie wed. Both of these lesions were detected by magnetic resonance imaging and treated surgically. Intrathoracic meningoceles are often asymptomatic and d iagnosed incidentally during the evaluation of an unrelated pathology. A pa tient with a spinal intradural arachnoid cyst may present with paraparesis mimicking an intradural tumor, and lateral intrathoracic meningocele may se ldom accompany this lesion. A comprehensive radiological examination must b e conducted and a higher index of suspicion by neurosurgeons is necessary. Copyright (C) 2001 S. Karger AG, Basel.