Rare cause of paraparesis in a young man: cervico-dorsal neurenteric cysts associated with Klippel-Feil syndrome

Abstract

Klippel-Feil syndrome is an entity presenting with short neck, low hairline and reduced range of motion of cervical spine. Neurenteric cyst is a congenital abnormality, in which mucus-secreting epithelium of the gastrointestinal tract is seen in the spinal axis. The association of a neurenteric cyst with Klippel-Feil syndrome has been reported very rarely. We report the case of a young man, affected by Klippel-Feil syndrome, who presented with bilateral paraplegia. Imaging of the spine revealed features suggestive of cervico-dorsal neurenteric cyst. Subsequently, surgical resection of the cysts was done, which resulted in resolution of the symptoms.