Intracranial Arachnoid Cysts

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the distribution, clinical features, and treatment modalities of arachnoid cysts (ACs) in our clinic. The study was carried out between Turkey. Thirty-five patients (13 female and 22 male) with ACs demonstrated by cranial magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography during this period were enrolled and discussed in this study. The middle cranial fossa was the most common location of ACs; ACs were located in the middle cranial fossa in 22 (62.9%) cases, followed by the cerebellopontine angle in 4 (11.4%) cases, the cerebral convexity in 3 (8.6%) cases, the suprasellar region in 2 (5.7%) cases, the quadrigeminal cisterns in 2 (5.7%) cases, and the retrocerebellar region in 2 (5.7%) cases. All cysts were unilateral: 25 (71.4%) were located on the left side, and 10 (28.6%) were located on the right side. The mean age at onset of clinical manifestations was 3 years, 6 months (range: 1 month to 12 years). The mean age at diagnosis was 8 years (range: 1-32 years). The most frequent clinical features on presentation were epileptic seizures (42.9%) and headache (28.6%). A few patients (9 [25.7%]) underwent surgery. Surgical intervention with microsurgical excision and fenestration was performed in 7 patients, and cystoperitoneal shunting was performed in 2 patients. The major indications for surgery of ACs are intractable seizures, intracranial hypertension, and compression of neuronal tissues. Headache only is not a surgical indication. Microsurgical excision and fenestration are safe and effective for the surgical treatment of ACs. RESULTSDuring the study period, 35 patients were investigated. Of these patients, 13 (37.1%) were female and 22 (62.9%)

Symptomatic arachnoid cyst of the left frontal convexity in an adult: A case report.

“…The most common presenting symptoms are headache, weakness, seizures, hydrocephalus, cognitive decline, and visual loss. [7,2,10].…”

“…Erman et al described that epileptic seizures and headache are the most common presenting clinical features [2].…”

“…There was no enhancement of the cyst contents or cyst wall after the intravenous administration of gadolinium. MRI is also adequate to evaluate the compression of cysts on neural structures [2,3,6].…”

A rare case of bleeding into the Sylvian arachnoid cyst: A case report

“…Middle cranial fossa cysts most commonly present with headaches, epileptic seizures, and contralateral muscle weakness. In addition, macrocrania, mental retardation, and behavioral disorders are among the symptoms of most pediatric patients [12,13].…”

“…Absolute surgical treatment indications for arachnoid cysts include the observation of compression findings on neural tissues with mass effect, the development of symptoms of increased intracranial pressure syndrome, resistant epilepsy compatible with electroencephalogram (EEG) findings, and progressive hydrocephalus [8,12].…”