Clinical Observation of Intracrainal Arachnoid Cyst

ABSTRACT

Sixteen cases of intracranial arachnoid cyst were diagnosed with computerized tomography(CT). Four patients also had subdural hematoma, two of them following head trauma. Arachnoid cysts in Sylvian fissure are divided into three types, according to their shape and extension on CT. Male was predominant in sex distribution and Sylvian fissure was prevalent in location. Seizure and focal thinning of bone were the most frequently encountered clinical and radiological findings. Surgical procedure was performed in nine cases with partial excision of the cyst membrane or cystoperitoneal shunt. The authors discussed the pathogenesis, clinical findings and treatment of the intracranial arachnoid cyst. We support the congenital origin as pathogenesis, with the experience of one case, which was diagnosed before delivery with ultrasonogram. Considering the potential morbidity of the cyst, as subdural hematoma formation, we propose the surgical treatment as soon as the diagnosis is made.