Primary nerve repair following resection of a neurenteric cyst of the oculomotor nerve: Case report

Neurenteric cysts are rare congenital lesions of endodermal origin occurring in the spinal canal and infrequently in the posterior cranial fossa. The authors report the case of a 3-year-old child who presented with a recurrent third cranial nerve palsy. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a large cystic mass lesion in the ambient cistern on the right side, with compression of the anterolateral aspect of the brainstem. The patient underwent a craniotomy, complete excision, and a primary third cranial nerve repair. While there have been 3 reported cases of neurenteric cysts arising from the oculomotor nerve, this is the first documented case with a primary nerve repair.