Abstract
Objectives The aim of this study was to analyze the demographics, clinical presentation, and
surgical outcome of intracranial arachnoid cysts and to review the surgical options.
Methods This is a retrospective observational study of 56 cases of symptomatic arachnoid
cysts among all age groups treated between 2004 and 2020 at the Bombay Hospital, Mumbai.
Endoscopic fenestration, microsurgical cyst excision, and shunt insertion were the
interventions performed. Clinical presentation, cyst reduction post-intervention,
and complications were studied. The follow-up period varied from 1 month to 16 years.
Statistical analysis was done for 43 patients with a minimum of 3 years' follow-up.
Results In all, 75% of patients were <18 years of age. Of these, the majority were between
the age of 1 and 10 years. There were 14 cases of temporal, 13 cases of retrocerebellar,
10 cases of quadrigeminal cistern, and 7 cases each of interhemispheric and suprasellar
arachnoid cysts. The most common clinical presentation was headache and vomiting.
Concomitant hydrocephalus was seen on imaging in 24 cases. Endoscopic fenestration
of cyst was the most routinely performed procedure (35 cases). Four patients of endoscopic
fenestration underwent a redo endoscopic procedure on follow-up. Post-operative reduction
in cyst size was found to be significantly better after endoscopic fenestration (p < 0.05).
Conclusion Though the best available treatment for arachnoid cysts remains controversial, surgery
has been found to be beneficial in symptomatic cases. Endoscopic fenestration is considered
the first-line surgical option and it may be followed by shunt, if necessary. Shunts
may be preferred in very young children where there is associated hydrocephalus/macrocephaly.
Keywords
arachnoid cyst - endoscopy - intracranial - shunt
