Arachnoid cysts are developmental anomalies that are most often diagnosed in childhood. They are often discovered as incidental findings found on imaging.
With the greater worldwide availability of neuroimaging, more intracranial arachnoid cysts (IACs) are being found in all age groups.
There may be underlying maldevelopment of the cortex especially the temporal lobe 1).
There is also no acceptable explanation for the male preponderance and increased incidence on the left side 2).
A subset of these lesions become symptomatic and requires neurosurgical management. The clinical presentations of IACs vary from asymptomatic to extremely symptomatic.
Occasionally they may produce symptoms because of expansion or bleeding.
Recent descriptions of aphasia and attention-deficit disorders associated with these cysts indicate that we do not fully understand this entity.
Three cases of IAC, focusing on different clinical and treatment considerations. 3)