Arachnoid Cyst

Arachnoid cysts are the membranes (membranes) surrounding the brain and spinal cord. are fluid-filled sacs formed between the leaves of the membrane . Brain from outside to inside Dura mater , arachnoid and pia They have membranes called mater . Although arachnoid cysts are in the acarnoid , they usually enlarge inward. The most common location is near the temporal lobe of the brain. It can also be seen in the third ventricle , suprasellar region, cerebellum and brainstem region . The actual cause of formation is unknown. Arachnoid cyst may rarely develop due to trauma, tumor, infection or neurosurgery.

Signs and symptoms

In many cases, arachnoid cyst is present at birth, but it may not cause symptoms throughout life. Symptoms can vary widely, depending on the size of the cyst and the brain region where it is located. Symptoms usually begin in childhood.

Most common symptom , nonspecific headache , vomiting, nausea, drowsiness. These are often due to increased intracranial pressure due to hydrocephalus. Sometimes it can cause abnormal enlargement of the skull bones in children. Apart from these, epileptic seizures, weakness, visual defects and hearing defects may occur. Movement disorders and developmental delays can be seen. It can cause weakness (paralysis) in one half of the body. With the effect of pressure on the parts of the brain that secrete hormones, it can cause hormonal irregularity, growth retardation and sexual disorders.

arachnoid cysts are located in the spine and spinal cord ( spinal arachnoid cysts) can cause loss of sensation (numbness) and loss of strength (paralysis) in the arms, hands, legs. It can cause scoliosis , back pain and spasticity .

Diagnosis

any symptoms in many people . Headache and seizures may be seen in symptomatic cases . Diagnosis is made by magnetic resonance (MR) imaging or computerized tomography (CT). Sometimes, the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the head can block the circulation pathways and cause excess CSF accumulation in the brain (hydrocephalus).

Treatment

Many arachnoid cysts are found incidentally on MRI and CT images and usually do not enlarge on follow-up. They are followed many times as they do not cause any symptoms in many people. When symptoms occur, the size of the cyst, the brain region where it is located, and the pathology it creates are re-evaluated.

Ventriculoperitoneal surgery with open craniotomy and fenestration shunt operations are considered. In open craniotomy and fenestration, the cranial bones are opened to reach the cyst. Many openings are created in the cyst wall. Thus, the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the cyst can drain into the subarachnoid space and be absorbed like CSF circulating around the normal brain.

Cysts around the spinal cord are usually completely removed. In this way, the symptoms many get better. In cases where the entire cyst cannot be removed, the cyst is mouthed with the subarachnoid space, or the cyst content is drained with a shunt .