# Spinal Cord Müllerian-Like Cyst at the T12 Vertebral Level: A Case Report and Literature Review

**Authors:** Takaaki Uto, Satoshi Kato, Noriaki Yokogawa, Masafumi Kawai, Satoru Demura

PMC · DOI: 10.7759/cureus.80169 · Cureus · 2025-03-06

## TL;DR

A rare case of a Müllerian-like cyst on the spinal cord at T12 level is reported, emphasizing the need for accurate diagnosis and surgical treatment.

## Contribution

First reported case of a Müllerian-like cyst on the spinal cord surface at the T12 vertebral level.

## Key findings

- MRI showed an intradural extramedullary cystic lesion at T12 with subtle surface irregularity.
- Surgical excision confirmed the diagnosis of a Müllerian-like cyst with excellent prognosis after complete resection.

## Abstract

Müllerian cysts are rare developmental anomalies, typically found in the pelvis, with extrapelvic occurrences reported but spinal cord involvement being exceedingly rare. We present the first reported case of a Müllerian-like cyst located on the surface of the spinal cord at the T12 vertebral level. A 49-year-old woman presented with low back and right leg pain, including electric shock-like sensations during sneezing. Physical examination revealed sensory deficits in the right L5 dermatome, and MRI demonstrated an intradural extramedullary cystic lesion at T12, appearing isointense to cerebrospinal fluid on all sequences, with a subtle surface irregularity. A T12 recapping T-saw laminoplasty was performed for surgical excision, and a subtle surface defect on the spinal cord was identified intraoperatively. Pathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of a Müllerian-like cyst. This case highlights the importance of considering Müllerian-like cysts in the differential diagnosis of intradural spinal cysts, even at unusual locations, and demonstrates that careful review of imaging findings, including subtle surface irregularities, can aid in accurate diagnosis and surgical planning. Complete surgical resection is the treatment of choice, and the prognosis is generally excellent.

## Full-text entities

- **Diseases:** spinal cysts (MESH:D003560), Mullerian cysts (MESH:C537371), sensory deficits (MESH:D012678), low back and right leg pain (MESH:D010146), cystic lesion (MESH:D052177)
- **Species:** Homo sapiens (human, species) [taxon 9606]

## Full text

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## Figures

3 figures with captions in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC11972119/full.md

## References

20 references — full list in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC11972119/full.md

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Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC11972119