Background: The optimal treatment of symptomatic arachnoid cysts remains controversial.

Objective: We present a single-institution experience on surgical treatment of arachnoid cysts.

Methods: Between January 1983 and January 2008, 92 patients with symptomatic arachnoid cysts underwent surgery at our institute. All patients were evaluated with CT and/or MRI and were operated upon and had regular follow-up examinations.

Results: There were 60 males and 32 females. The mean age was 3.6 years (range, 2 days to 14 years). Forty-eight cysts (52%) were within the sylvian fissure, 16 (17%) were in the cerebral convexity, 15 (16%) were infratentorial, 10 (11%) were in the interhemispheric fissure, and 3 (4%) were parasellar. Cystoperitoneal shunt was placed in 67 (73%) patients; ventricular drainage alone was performed in 14 (15%) patients; and combined drainage of the ventricular system and cyst, using a 3-way connector, was performed in 8 (9%) patients. Craniotomy and fenestration of the cyst was performed in 2 (2%) patients, whereas total excision of the cyst was performed in 1 patient. Shunt revision for various reasons was performed in 34 patients (39%), whereas 13 (14%) patients required more than one revision. Complete alleviation of symptoms was achieved in all patients after treatment, regardless of cyst reduction. After a mean follow-up of 8.5 years no further enlargement of the arachnoid cysts was noted.

Conclusion: Shunt placement is a safe and effective surgical treatment of symptomatic arachnoid cysts in children. Cyst reduction is greater in children younger than 2 years of age.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://dx.doi.org/10.1227/NEU.0b013e3181f94476DOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

arachnoid cysts
20
symptomatic arachnoid
12
performed patients
12
patients
9
treatment arachnoid
8
cysts children
8
treatment symptomatic
8
surgical treatment
8
cyst performed
8
cyst reduction
8

Similar Publications

Shunt dependence syndrome is a serious long-term complication characterized by symptoms and signs of increased intracranial pressure with normal-sized lateral ventricles after several years of arachnoid cyst-peritoneal shunting. It is easy to misdiagnose and overlook when combined with sinus stenosis, thus delaying treatment. Here, we present a 35-year-old man with an unexplained headache and binocular horizontal diplopia with high intracranial pressure.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background/objectives: Intracranial arachnoid cysts (ACs) may be congenital, primary, or secondary due to trauma. These cysts are benign, contain cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and are classified based on location, size, and their clinical symptomatology. They are uncommon lesions in children, rarely leading to severe mass-effect neurological symptomatology.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Spinal anesthesia for cesarean delivery in a laboring patient with known cranial arachnoid cyst: a case report.

Int J Obstet Anesth

December 2024

Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Brigham & Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, United States.

Article Synopsis
  • Arachnoid cysts are generally fluid-filled and asymptomatic, requiring no surgery; however, their safety during neuraxial procedures in pregnant patients is not well-documented.
  • The case presented involves the anesthetic management of a pregnant patient with a significant arachnoid cyst affecting the cerebellum who was in labor.
  • Following a multidisciplinary approach, neuraxial labor anesthesia was deemed suitable, and the patient ultimately received spinal anesthesia for a cesarean delivery due to fetal distress.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Spinal epidural arachnoid cysts (SEACs) are rare, non-neoplastic pathologies that can cause compressive myelopathy. Preoperative identification of the exact fistula location is crucial for minimally invasive management.

Methods: This single-center retrospective study included 27 patients with SEACs who underwent "double-needle puncture myelography" to precisely localize the fistula before minimally invasive surgery.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Purpose: Arachnoid cysts constitute approximately 1 % of intracranial mass lesions, with quadrigeminal cistern arachnoid cysts being 5-18 % of those. This study presents a series of 31 cases of quadrigeminal cistern arachnoid cysts, constituting the most extensive series reported to date.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 31 patients diagnosed with quadrigeminal cistern arachnoid cysts, focusing on clinical presentation, demographics, treatment approaches, and outcomes.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!