Intracranial cyst differential diagnosis
Differential diagnosis of a cystic brain lesion must contemplate primary neoplasm, metastases (lung and breast neoplasms are the most common cause), brain abscess, tuberculoma and neurocysticercosis. (NCC).
see Cystic tumor.
A craniopharyngioma (CP) is an embryonic malformation of the sellar region and parasellar region.
Its relation to Rathke's cleft cyst (RCC) is controversial, and both lesions have been hypothesized to lie on a continuum of ectodermal cystic lesions of the sellar region.
1. Intracranial arachnoid cysts: Typically lined with meningothelial cells
2. suprasellar cyst from dilated third ventricle
3. interhemispheric cyst from porencephaly
4. neuroectodermal cysts (glioependymal cysts): intraparenchymal, located near ventricles
5. old infarct: if it communicates with a ventricle it is called a porencephalic cyst
6. tumor cysts (the solid portion may sometimes be isodense to brain on CT):
a) ganglioglioma: usually solid but may appear cystic on CT
b) pilocytic astrocytoma: usually has enhancing mural nodule
c) neurilemmomas may be cystic
d) supratentorial ependymomas are often cystic
7. infectious
a) abscess
b) cysticercosis: see Neurocysticercosis
c) hydatid cyst: see Echinococcosis
8. pineal cysts
9. colloid cyst
11. giant aneurysm
12. on CT, a low density non-enhancing tumor can mimic a cyst
13. chronic subdural hematoma or hygroma may mimic a cyst
14. Posterior fossa cyst: