Table of Contents

Arachnoid cyst

Arachnoid cysts are cerebrospinal fluid covered by arachnoid mater and collagen that may develop between the surface of the brain and the cranial base or on the arachnoid membrane. They can be located intracranially or in the spine 1).

Epidemiology

Most cases begin during infancy; however, onset may be delayed until adolescence.

The prevalence of arachnoid cysts in children is 1-3%. They are more frequent in boys. They can be located intracranially or in the spine 2).


The association between a dermoid cyst and arachnoid cyst is extremely rare and when it is present may suggest the existence of a common factor. Abbou et al. presented a unique case of a young girl who developed headache and ataxia as a result of an intracranial infratentorial dermoid cyst and an arachnoid cyst of the cerebellopontine angle. Complete removal of the dermoid cyst and drainage of the cyst leads to a full recovery. Dermoid and arachnoid cyst are two pathologies with a possible common embryogenic factor, early surgery can give a better outcome in the long term 3).

Etiology

They are a rare condition thought to be congenital in nature.

see Arachnoid Cyst associated chronic subdural hematoma

Classification

Intracranial arachnoid cyst

Spinal arachnoid cyst

Nontraumatic de novo arachnoid cyst

Clinical Features

see Intracranial arachnoid cyst clinical features.

Treatment

Intracranial arachnoid cyst treatment.

Complications

Intracranial arachnoid cyst complications.

1) , 2)
Candela S, Puerta P, Alamar M, Barcik U, Guillén A, Muchart J, García-Fructuoso G, Ferrer-Rodríguez E. [Epidemiology and classification of arachnoid cysts in children]. Neurocirugia (Astur). 2015 Apr 2. pii: S1130-1473(15)00030-5. doi: 10.1016/j.neucir.2015.02.007. [Epub ahead of print] Spanish. PubMed PMID: 25843209.
3)
Abbou Z, Djennati R, Khalil Z. A rare association between a dermoid cyst and arachnoid cyst of the cerebellopontine angle: a case report. Pan Afr Med J. 2021 Nov 1;40:125. doi: 10.11604/pamj.2021.40.125.32040. PMID: 34909093; PMCID: PMC8641637.