Interdural spinal cyst following lumbar puncture : illustrative case

Šerbec, Anja (author), Kocijančič, Igor (author), Bajrović, Fajko (author), Munda, Matic (author), Gregorič Kramberger, Milica (author), Prestor, Borut (author), Porčnik, Andrej (author)

Background: Interdural spinal cysts are rare lesions located between the layers of the dura mater, not included in traditional spinal cyst classifications. Only 12 cases have been reported in the literature, with two located in the lumbar region. This case represents the first reported lumbar interdural cyst developing as a direct complication of a single lumbar puncture. Observations: A 44-year-old woman developed severe radicular pain 1 week after undergoing a diagnostic lumbar puncture; the pain was posture dependent, worsening when upright and improving when recumbent. MRI revealed a cystic lesion at L3-4 without nerve root compression. CT myelography showed delayed contrast filling, indicating communication with the subarachnoid space. Surgical exploration confirmed an interdural cyst. Both dural layers were sutured to obliterate the cyst and the defect of the inner dural layer. Her radicular pain resolved postoperatively. Lessons: Interdural spinal cysts can form as a rare complication of lumbar puncture, causing persistent spinal pain. Such cysts should be considered in patients with unexplained, posture-dependent pain after lumbar puncture, as their dynamic nature may elude standard imaging. Suturing both dural layers to obliterate the cyst and repair the defect of the inner dural layer can effectively resolve the symptoms.

• Language: English
• Keywords: cerebrospinal fluid fistula, interdural cyst, lumbar puncture, radiculopathy, spinal meningeal cyst
• Work type: Article
• Typology: 1.01 - Original Scientific Article
• Organization: MF - Faculty of Medicine
• Publication status: Published
• Publication version: Version of Record
• Year: 2026
• Number of pages: 5 str.
• Numbering: Vol. 11, iss. 21
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-190791
• UDC: 617
• ISSN on article: 2694-1902
• DOI: 10.3171/CASE2652
• COBISS.SI-ID: 301536259
• Publication date in RUL: 04.11.2026

Record is a part of a journal

• Title: Journal of neurosurgery : Case lessons.
• Shortened title: J. neurosurg., Case lessons
• Publisher: American Association of Neurosurgeons dba Journal of Neurosurgery Publishing Group
• ISSN: 2694-1902
• COBISS.SI-ID: 301530627

Licences

• License: CC BY-NC-ND 4.0, Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International
• Link: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
• Description: The most restrictive Creative Commons license. This only allows people to download and share the work for no commercial gain and for no other purposes.