Symptomatic surgically treated non-neoplastic cysts of the central nervous system: a clinicopathological study from Pakistan

ABSTRACT

To report clinicopathologic features of symptomatic surgically removed non-neoplastic cysts of the central nervous system [CNS]. Case series. The Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, from 2003 to 2012. All non-neoplastic CNS cysts reported during the study period were retrieved and reviewed. Age, gender, location, histologic type and clinical features were noted. A total of 124 cysts were diagnosed in the study period. These included 44 epidermoid cysts [mean age 30.5 +/- 13.8 years], 35 colloid cysts [mean age 31 +/- 13.2 years], 32 arachnoid cysts [mean age 24.8 +/- 20.2 years], 6 dermoid cysts, 3 enterogenous cysts and Rathke's cleft cysts each and 1 ependymal cyst. All cyst types mainly presented in young adults in both genders with signs and symptoms of a mass lesion. Non-neoplastic cyst mainly presented like a CNS mass lesion in young adults. Epidermoids were the most common type of these cysts in the present series followed by the colloid and the arachnoid cysts