Acquired arachnoid cyst in a cat

A 5-year-old Birman cat presented with paraparesis associated with a fracture of the third thoracic vertebra and was managed conservatively. Voluntary function was regained over the next 6 months, but the cat was referred 4 years after the trauma because of recurrence of hindlimb paresis and ataxia. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a spinal arachnoid cyst at the level of the fourth thoracic vertebra, which was treated surgically by dorsal laminectomy and durectomy, and hindlimb function subsequently recovered. The cat re-presented 4 years later for recurrent hindlimb paresis. Myelography and computed tomography–myelography (CT-M) showed dorsolateral pooling of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) at the previous laminectomy site. The neurological signs after the second surgery improved, but not as much as after the first surgery and the cat remained ataxic with moderate paresis. Seven months later repeat CT-M revealed an atrophic spinal cord, but negligible pooling of CSF at the previous site of the arachnoid cyst. The cat could walk, but was being treated for self-induced trauma of the left hindlimb that was thought to be related to paraesthesia. The neurological signs gradually deteriorated over 3 months and the cat was euthanased.