Accurate diagnosis and treatment of sacral meningeal cysts without spinal nerve root fibres: identifying leakage orificium using high-resolution spherical arbitrary-dimensional reconstructing magnetic resonance imaging

ObjectiveThis study aimed to develop an arbitrary-dimensional nerve root reconstruction magnetic resonance imaging (ANRR-MRI) technique for identifying the leakage orificium of sacral meningeal cysts (SMCs) without spinal nerve root fibres (SNRFs).MethodsThis prospective study enrolled 40 consecutive patients with SMCs without SNRFs between March 2021 and March 2022. Magnetic resonance neural reconstruction sequences were performed for preoperative evaluation. The cyst and the cyst-dura intersection planes were initially identified based on the original thin-slice axial T2-weighted images. Sagittal and coronal images were then reconstructed by setting each intersecting plane as the centre. Then, three-dimensional reconstruction was performed, focusing on the suspected leakage point of the cyst. Based on the identified leakage location and size of the SMC, individual surgical plans were formulated.ResultsThis cohort included 30 females and 10 males, with an average age of 42.6 ± 12.2 years (range, 17–66 years). The leakage orificium was located at the rostral pole of the cyst in 23 patients, at the body region of the cyst in 12 patients, and at the caudal pole in 5 patients. The maximum diameter of the cysts ranged from 2 cm to 11 cm (average, 5.2 ± 1.9 cm). The leakage orificium was clearly identified in all patients and was ligated microscopically through a 4 cm minimally invasive incision. Postoperative imaging showed that the cysts had disappeared.ConclusionANRR-MRI is an accurate and efficient approach for identifying leakage orificium, facilitating the precise diagnosis and surgical treatment of SMCs without SNRFs.