ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Arachnoid cysts (ACs) are congenital abnormalities that can be located anywhere within the subarachnoid space along the cerebrospinal axis, although they are most often found on the left side in the temporal fossa and sylvian fissure. ACs comprise approximately 1% of all intracranial space-occupying lesions and are considered potential risk factors for subdural hematoma (SDH) in individuals of all age groups who have experienced traumatic brain injury. Although it is uncommon for an intracystic hemorrhage of an AC to occur without evidence of head trauma, it may be more common among children and young adults. Here, the authors present three cases of spontaneous AC intracystic hemorrhage with chronic SDH. Additionally, they provide a thorough review of the existing literature. OBSERVATIONS: All three patients with AC were adolescent males. In all cases, AC was identified using the Galassi classification (type II or III) and associated with spontaneous intracystic hemorrhage and chronic SDH as seen on imaging. LESSONS: Spontaneous intracystic hemorrhage is a rare complication and occurs most commonly on the left side. Surgery is the definitive treatment, requiring either craniotomy or burr hole for hematoma evacuation and microsurgical fenestration to drain the cyst into the subarachnoid cisterns.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Epilepsy surgery is traditionally difficult to pursue in resource-limited countries but is nevertheless essential in the treatment of medication-refractory, surgically amenable epilepsy. METHODS: With the help of international collaboration, a successful epilepsy program was started in Vietnam. This article comprises a retrospective chart review, combined with prospective longitudinal follow-up of 35 cases of unilateral drug-resistant epilepsy in the temporal lobe who underwent temporal lobectomy, in Viet Duc University Hospital from May 2018 to September 2022. RESULTS: The female/male ratio was 0.6:1, and focal seizures with impaired awareness accounted for 97.14% of patients. Of patients with focal awareness seizures, 51.41% were localized and detected by electroencephalography. Postoperatively, 80% of patients were seizure free (Engel I) at 1 year, and the remaining 20% had worthwhile seizure improvement (Engel II). Postoperative temporal lobe pathology was categorized as follows: mesial temporal sclerosis (48.57%), focal cortical dysplasia (25.71%), and low-grade neoplasms (25.71%). Of patients, 17.14% had postoperative complications (5 infections and 1 transient extremity paresis), and there were no deaths. CONCLUSIONS: Even in low-resource environments, effective and safe surgical care can be provided for drug-resistant epilepsy caused by temporal lobe disease. This study serves as a model of international collaboration and support for future hospitals in low-resource environments to replicate.
