Role of MR spectroscopy in diagnosis of intracranial neuroenteric cyst

Childs Nerv Syst. 2018 Sep;34(9):1791-1794. doi: 10.1007/s00381-018-3802-1. Epub 2018 Apr 20.

Abstract

Introduction: Neuroenteric cysts are rare benign endodermal lesions of the central nervous system that result from incomplete resorption of neuroenteric canal and mostly found in cervical and upper thoracic spinal canal. Intracranial neuroenteric cysts are extra axial and commonly located anteriorly in the posterior cranial fossa. MRI demonstrates variable intensity within the lesion on T1, T2W, and DWI sequences.

Methods: Three cases of posterior fossa non-enhancing cystic lesions of variable signal intensity underwent MRI with MR spectroscopy, where MR spectroscopy demonstrated dominant peak at 2 ppm, mimicking normal Nacetyl aspartate (NAA).

Conclusion: MR spectroscopy in addition to conventional MRI may help in differentiating intracranial neuroenteric cyst from its close differentials.

Keywords: N-acetyl aspartate (NAA); Neuroenteric cyst; Spectroscopy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Arachnoid Cysts / diagnostic imaging*
  • Arachnoid Cysts / surgery
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy / methods*
  • Male
  • Neural Tube Defects / diagnostic imaging*
  • Neural Tube Defects / surgery
  • Young Adult