Musculoskeletal CT Appearances

Dural Ectasia CT Findings

• Expansion of the dural sac
• S1 or below has a sagittal diameter greater than that of L4 or above
• Anterior sacral meningocele
• May cause erosion of the vertebrae and spinal destruction
• Can be confused with a pelvic mass
• Most common in Marfan syndrome

Other Information About Dural Ectasia

Etiology:

• Incomplete spinal anesthesia
• Marfan syndrome
• Connective tissue disorders like neurofibromatosis, osteogenesis imperfecta, etc

Epidemiology:

• Most patients with Marfan syndrome have dural ectasia
• Otherwise it is very rare

Presentation:

• Usually asymptomatic and an incidental finding
• Lower back pain
• Radiating pain in lower limbs
• Headache
• Numbness
• Genital/rectal pain

Prognosis:

• Symptomatic patients can take medication to manage the pain