Safety and efficacy of microsurgical decompression for 6 arachnoid bands.

BACKGROUND

Dorsal spinal arachnoid bands are a rare cause of focal spinal cord compression and thoracic myelopathy that alter cerebrospinal fluid dynamics and may lead to progressive neurological deficits and syringomyelia. Nevertheless, the clinical outcomes of surgical treatment remain incompletely characterized. Here, we evaluated the safety and clinical outcomes of 6 microsurgical decompressions for dorsal thoracic arachnoid bands in a single-center cohort.

METHODS

Six patients underwent surgery for dorsal thoracicspinal arachnoid bands with/without syringomyelia (2021-2025) at a single center. Demographic, diagnostic, and surgical reports and outcomes were assessed. Surgical decompressions utilized microsurgical techniques and intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring.

RESULTS

Six patients averaged 49.3 years of age, and four were female. T6 was the most involved thoracic level. Surgery included mostly hemilaminectomies addressing 6 arachnoid bands and 4 syrinxes. Postoperatively, 5 patients improved, while one remained unchanged. Only one postoperative adverse event occurred: pneumonia. Postoperative magnetic resonance studies documented complete arachnoid band/syrinx resolution.

CONCLUSION

Microsurgical decompression of dorsal spinal arachnoid bands is both safe and effective.