Scalpel sign: Dorsal thoracic arachnoid web, thoracic arachnoid cyst and ventral cord herniation

Abstract

The “Scalpel sign” is a radiological sign which can be identified on magnetic resonance imaging and indicates dorsal compression of the spinal cord [1]. Prior descriptions of a “Scalpel sign” have been reported in the literature and the awareness and identification of this pathognomonic sign may aid in the rapid diagnosis and treatment of patients with dorsal arachnoid web, dorsal arachnoid cyst or ventral cord herniation. We describe 3 cases which highlight these rare conditions for which this sign is pathognomonic and summarize the pertinent literature related to these disorders [1,2].

Keywords

• Scalpel sign
• Cord compression
• Ventral cord herniation
• Arachnoid web
• Arachnoid cyst