Arachnoid Cysts
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Arachnoid cysts are benign fluid-filled sacs in the brain or spine. The three most common surgical treatments for arachnoid cysts in the brain are craniotomy fenestration, endoscopic cyst fenestration, or shunt placement. The nonsurgical treatment is close observation of the cyst.
Usually, arachnoid cysts develop between the surface of the brain and the skull base, or on the arachnoid membrane, one of the three membranes that cover the brain and the spinal cord. Less often, they arise in the spine.
Arachnoid cysts are the most common type of intracranial cyst and are typically found in the temporal fossa, the posterior fossa and the suprasellar region.
Untreated arachnoid cysts may cause permanent, severe neurological damage due to expansion of the cyst, hydrocephalus, or hemorrhage. With treatment, most individuals with arachnoid cysts have a good prognosis.
Symptoms
Symptoms of an arachnoid cyst depend on the cyst’s size and location. Small cysts are usually asymptomatic and are discovered only incidentally. Large cysts may cause cranial deformation or macrocephaly as a result of hydrocephalus, particularly among infants and young children whose skulls still have fontanels. Symptoms may include:
- Headache, which is often worse in the morning upon waking
- Nausea and vomiting
- Seizures
- Increased intracranial pressure
- Developmental delay
- Behavioral changes
- Hemiparesis
- Ataxia
- Vision disturbances
Diagnosis
A neurological examination is typically conducted to evaluate symptoms and identify any problems. This exam consists of assessing ability to swallow, sense of smell, hearing, eye movements, sensation, motor function, balance, and coordination.
Imaging studies are the main component of diagnosis. Computed tomography (CT) scans or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans may be used to visualize the mass. These studies can be performed with or without contrast enhancement.
For infants, ultrasonography is typically used instead of CT or MRI scans to image the cyst.
Risk Factors
The cause of arachnoid cysts is currently unknown.
Most instances are sporadic. Research suggests that these cysts develop when the arachnoid membrane splits, allowing cerebrospinal fluid to flow in and become trapped.
Arachnoid cysts occur more often among males than females and can arise at any age. Most cases are congenital, but may not be noticed until later in life.
Treatments
At Columbia, our neurosurgeons use the latest surgical techniques to treat arachnoid cysts, providing the best possible outcomes.
No surgical treatment is typically needed for cysts that are asymptomatic. Instead, the cyst is closely monitored with imaging tests for any changes, and treatment may be recommended later if the cyst produces problems.
For symptomatic cysts, the first step of treatment is often surgery. Surgical options include shunt placement, craniotomy fenestration and a more recent method called endoscopic cyst fenestration.