Cervical Myelocystocele

Cervical myelocystocele is a rare congenital malformation. It is a subtype of ‘closed’ or ‘occult’ spinal dysraphism. Many researchers have tried to define and classify cervical myelocystocele. Patients usually present at an early age after birth with a mass in the posterior neck region. Symptoms and signs can range from pain, paranesthesia, upper motor weakness and bladder/bowel dysfunction. Patients are neurologically preserved in comparison to those in the thoracolumbar or lumbosacral regions. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the modality of choice for the diagnosis. Surgical exploration is the treatment option in such lesions. Detethering of the cervical myelocystocele has shown symptomatic relief in affected patients and greater clinical outcomes. Complications generally include infection, CSF leak, hydrocephalus in the short term, nerve injury, and motor and sensory weakness in the long term. Surgical management of these cases aims to prevent such complications.