Arachnoid cyst presenting as subdural hygroma.

Arachnoid cysts are developmental lesions which are usually asymptomatic or may present with a variety of clinical features. Subdural hygroma is an extremely unusual complication associated with arachnoid cysts. A case of subdural hygroma that developed after the rupture of an asymptomatic middle cranial fossa cyst, following minor head injury is reported.     

Arachnoid Cyst with Spontaneous Intracystic Hemorrhage and Chronic Subdural Hematoma

We report a case of arachnoid cyst in which subdural hematoma and intracystic hemorrhage developed spontaneously. Usually, arachnoid cysts are asymptomatic, but can become symptomatic because of cyst enlargement or hemorrhage, often after mild head trauma. Although they are sometimes combined with subdural hematoma, intracystic hemorrhage has rarely been observed. Our patient had a simultaneous subdural hematoma and intracystic hemorrhage without evidence of head trauma.     

Arachnoid cyst associated with subdural hematoma: report of three cases and review of the literature

Introduction  Arachnoid cysts are usually found incidentally and are generally asymptomatic. They are thought to be developmental anomalies, and their etiology is unknown. Some complications such as subdural hematoma, subdural hygroma, and intracystic bleeding can occur after minor traumas. Case report  Here, we report three cases. Case 1 has subdural hematoma associated with subdural hygroma, case 2 has subdural hematoma after a birth delivery, and case 3 has intracystic bleeding associated with subdural hematoma. Discussion  We suggest to treat the complicating event in our patients and have chosen burr-hole evacuation for treatment.     

Intracranial arachnoid cyst with subdural hematoma

A case of a middle fossa arachnoid cyst associated with a post-traumatic subdural hematoma is reported, where the inner membrane of the hematoma did not entirely cover the cyst surface. At operation a third cavity was detected between the arachnoid cyst and the hematoma and it is postulated that the subdural hematoma was consequent to the developmental anomaly. We have reviewed 72 cases in the literature and discuss the management of subdural hematoma in the presence of arachnoid cysts.     

Arachnoid cyst with rupture into the subdural space.

Arachnoid cysts which develop in relation to the cerebral hemispheres are usually found in the middle cranial fossa. These cysts are usually asymptomatic but can produce symptoms if there is haemorrhage into the cyst or the development of an associated subdural hematoma. Recent publications have emphasised the association of arachnoid cysts of the middle fossa with subdural haematomas. This report describes a case of an asymptomatic arachnoid cyst which ruptured into the subdural space. This event was followed by the development of symptoms despite the lack of haemorrhage.     

儿童蛛网膜囊肿破裂致硬膜下积液1例病例报告及文献复习

目的:探讨儿童蛛网膜囊肿合并硬膜下积液的病因、临床特征及治疗方法。方法:报告1例儿童左颞蛛网膜囊肿破裂致硬膜下积液病例,结合文献探讨该疾病的病因、临床表现、影像学特征及治疗。结果:在蛛网膜囊肿破裂致硬膜下积液的病例中,80%病例的囊肿位于中颅窝,半数以上病例有明确外伤史,CT或MRI可明确诊断,治疗多采取引流或开窗手术。结论:蛛网膜囊肿和硬膜下积液相关联的病例少见。CT或MRI具有诊断价值,一般采取手术治疗,目前倾向引入显微手术及内窥镜技术来治疗,建议根据囊肿类型选取分流手术。     

Facial nerve palsy—an unusual complication after evacuation of a subdural haematoma or hygroma in children

Objective This paper reports and discusses on the possible etiology of postoperative contralateral facial nerve palsy after uneventful evacuation of a subdural haematoma or hygroma after mild head trauma in two children with pre-existing middle cranial fossa subarachnoid cysts.Results Two 14- and 15-year-old boys had prolonged headaches after mild head injuries. CT showed a right-sided middle cranial fossa arachnoid cyst in each patient. In one patient, an ipsilateral subdural haematoma was identified, and in the other, bilateral hygromas were identified. Exacerbation of symptoms required emergency evacuation of the subdural haematoma in the first child, and bilateral external drainage of the hygroma in the other child. In both children the late postoperative period was complicated by peripheral facial nerve palsies contralateral to the arachnoid cyst.Conclusion Facial nerve palsy may be a complication of hygroma or haematoma drainage. The etiology is not clear; traction of the facial nerve due to displacement of the brainstem may be the most likely explanation.     

Intracranial arachnoid cyst associated with subdural hygroma: report of a case

A case of a 10-year-old boy with a congenital arachnoid cyst in the right middle cranial fossa is reported. The symptoms were precipitated by head injury of moderate intensity, occurred some days before the beginning of the clinical picture. The computerized tomography has demonstrated the existence of a simultaneous right fronto-parietal subdural hygroma that was responsible for the intracranial hypertension syndrome. The influence of the cyst in the hygroma formation has been suggested. The mechanisms of growth, the etiology, clinical aspects, the diagnostics and the surgical treatment of the arachnoid cysts are discussed.     

Arachnoid cysts of the middle cranial fossa presented as subdural hematomas

The aim of the study was to present the authors' own experience and discuss the treatment method of arachnoid cysts of the middle cranial fossa disclosed as subdural hematoma. Three cases of male patients operated on because of chronic subdural hematoma are presented. Control CT studies after evacuation of hematomas revealed arachnoid cysts of the middle cranial fossa and all patients were qualified for delayed cystocisternostomy by open craniotomy. Indirect signs of presence of arachnoid cysts in the form of bony abnormalities and expanded the middle cranial fossa in the first CT were seen in all patients. Cysts were asymptomatic until the injury in all cases. The volumes of cysts in MRI scans were: 17.8 ml, 52.9 ml and 92.4 ml, respectively. All cysts were type II according to Galassi classification. After control MRI described above made to evaluate cyst appearance, delayed cystocisternostomy to basal cisterns was undertaken in two cases with full success. No complications were observed. The third patient refused surgery. During surgery the thick and non-transparent medial cyst wall and arachnoidea of tentorial notch cisterns were observed impeding the exact identification of neurovascular structures. In our opinion arachnoid cysts of the middle cranial fossa revealed as subdural hematoma should be operated on in two stages: in the first step subdural hematoma should be evacuated and in the second step cystocisternostomy should be performed. With regard to observed morphological changes of arachnoidea and cyst walls we think that open cystocisternostomy is treatment of choice in these cases.     

Extradural hematoma complicating middle fossa arachnoid cyst

Two cases of post-traumatic extradural hematoma complicating an arachnoid cyst of the middle cranial fossa in children are described. While subdural and intracystic hemorrhages are well-known complications from this malformation, the association with extradural hematoma has never been previously reported in the literature. The pathogenetic mechanisms are discussed and the particular vulnerability of intracranial arachnoid cysts is stressed.     

大脑外侧裂开放并蛛网膜撕裂治疗外伤性顽固性硬膜下积液

目的探讨大脑外侧裂开放并蛛网膜撕裂治疗外伤性顽固性硬膜下积液的效果。方法 56例外伤性顽固性硬膜下积液患者,行大脑外侧裂开放并蛛网膜撕裂术,术后随访患者的硬膜下积液复发情况。结果本组56例经手术治疗临床症状消失,术后复查CT示积液完全消失。术后随访,55例无复发,有效率达98.2%。结论大脑外侧裂开放并蛛网膜撕裂是治疗外伤性顽固性硬膜下积液的最佳方法。     

Subdural hygroma: an unwanted result of Sylvian arachnoid cyst marsupialization

INTRODUCTION: Subdural hygroma is a known complication of Sylvian fissure arachnoid cysts (SACs). However, most of the data in the literature refer to spontaneous or posttraumatic occurrence of subdural hygromas, regarded as either a favorable or an unfavorable event. Little is known about this phenomenon as a consequence of the surgical management of SACs. The present study was carried out to evaluate the significance of postoperative subdural hygromas in children with temporal arachnoid cysts, who have been treated with craniotomy and wide marsupialization of the cystic membrane. CLINICAL MATERIAL AND RESULTS: Between 1980 and March 2002, 104 children were operated on for a SAC at the Pediatric Neurosurgical Unit of the Catholic University Medical School in Rome. Six patients (5.8%; boys/girls=4/2; mean age 3.28 years) developed a subdural hygroma postoperatively, which required further treatment. According to Galassi's classification 4 children had a Type III cyst and 2 children a Type II cyst. All the patients had previously been submitted to open marsupialization of their arachnoid cyst and extensive removal of the cyst wall. In 5 patients (Type III cyst: 4 patients; Type II cyst: 1 patient), acute or subacute symptoms and signs of increased intracranial pressure (ICP) developed at a temporal distance, varying from 5 days to 1 month (mean interval: 14.3 days). All these children needed surgical treatment for the hygroma. A subduro-peritoneal (SDP) shunt was implanted as the first step in 3 patients (Type III cyst: 2 patients; Type II cyst: 1 patient). In the remaining 2 patients of this group (Type III cysts) medical therapy was initially attempted (acetazolamide: 24 mg/kg) without any improvement in clinical manifestations; on these grounds an external spinal subarachnoid drainage was implanted, but led only to the transient clearance of symptoms. The direct drainage of the subdural collection (SDP shunt in 1 patient and temporary external subdural drainage in the other), was followed by complete clinical recovery in both cases. The last patient in this series showed a pathologic increase in head circumference during the 1st month after surgery for his arachnoid cyst, followed by a subsequent stabilization. A CT scan documented a subdural hygroma, which first of all increased in size, but stabilized 2 months after surgery. No surgical treatment was performed in this case. At a mean follow-up of 2.38 years (minimum: 1 month; maximum: 5 years) all the patients are in excellent clinical conditions. Complete neuroradiological resolution of the hygroma was observed in 2 of the 4 shunted patients, who have both been submitted to shunt removal (2 and 3 years after the implant respectively). CONCLUSIONS: It is our opinion that a wide opening of the external membrane of SACs may predispose the CSF fluid to accumulate within the subdural space, where its absorption is insufficient. A ball mechanism created by CSF pulsation may further increase the subdural fluid accumulation. Secondary distortion and occlusion at the level of the basal cisterns may also contribute to the persistence of the subdural fluid collection. Clinical manifestations may be transient, but frequently have a progressive course and the drainage of the subdural collection is, though transient, required in most cases. On these grounds we suggest the selective opening of the basal cisterns associated with a limited resection of the outer cyst walls in order to limit CSF access to the subdural space.     

Rapid resolution of acute subdural hematoma and effects on the size of existent subdural hygroma: a case report

The diagnosis and management of acute subdural hematoma is important in neurosurgery practice. Rapid spontaneous resolution of acute subdural hematoma within a few hours is seen rarely on the CT scan. We present a case that enlarged the existent subdural hygroma showing rapid resolution of acute subdural hematoma with resolution in 9 hours after the trauma. Additionally, the follow-up CT scans in the 1st month showed the decrease of enlargement of subdural hygroma. The resolution of acute subdural hematoma and effect of acute subdural hematoma on subdural hygroma must be considered during management. The relation of acute subdural hematoma and subdural hygroma is important for the resolution and management of acute subdural hematoma.     

Arachnoid cyst of the middle cranial fossa — aplasia of temporal lobe?

In 11 cases of intracranial, temporal arachnoid cysts the etiology, clinical and radiographic findings, surgical treatment, and outcome are reviewed in respect of post-traumatic subdural hematoma. Cysts of the middle cranial fossa are susceptible to trauma, which may cause bleeding either into the cyst or into the subdural space. Signs and symptoms of increasing intracranial pressure (ICP), local neurological deficits, and sometimes epileptic seizures may lead to hospitalization. CT or MRI scans are diagnostic in these cases. In cases of intracranial mass lesion with displacement of the midline structures and increasing ICP, osteoplastic craniotomy is performed and the lateral wall of the cyst is resected down to the tentorial notch by a microsurgical procedure, with opening into the basal cisterns. There were no operative or postoperative complications in 11 consecutive cases. However, one boy required a cystoperitoneal shunt 3 months later as a result of hydrocephalus following subdural hematoma. Asymptomatic arachnoid cysts are discussed with respect to brain function and social behavior.Paper presented at the 10th Annual Meeting of the European Society for Paediatric Neurosurgery, Aalborg 1986     

Arachnoid cyst and associated subdural hematoma. Observations on conventional roentgenographic and computerized tomographic diagnosis

Information about computerized tomography (CT) of arachnoid cysts of the middle fossa (ACMF) is increasing, and it appears that certain CT characteristics may be diagnostic. The association of ACMF and subdural hematoma has been emphasized previously but is not common knowledge. We present three new cases of ACMF and associated subdural hematoma studied by plain roentgenograms, EEG, conventional brain scanning, CT scanning, and angiography. The cysts were clearly shown in each case by CT scan, but no subdural hematoma was visualized in our first two cases. Angiography was necessary to establish the associated hematoma. We review and emphasize computerized tomographic characteristics that may be pathognomonic of ACMF. It is suggested that angiography be included in the study of patients symptomatic with ACMF because associated subdural hematoma is not an uncommon lesion and may fail to visualize on CT scan. Angiography still remains the most conclusive study to establish or exclude the diagnosis of subdural hematoma.     

Arachnoid cyst rupture with subdural hygroma: case report and literature review

Arachnoid cyst rupture causing subdural hygroma is rare. Twenty-one cases have been previously reported in the literature. We report a case of a 9-year-old boy presenting signs and symptoms of increased intracranial pressure due to the rupture of a type III arachnoid cyst causing subdural hygroma. The clinical and radiological findings as well as the management of the patient are discussed in relation to the pertinent literature.     

Arachnoid cysts of the middle cranial fossa and traumatic complications

A 17-year-old boy is reported with chronic subdural hematoma and a unilateral grade III arachnoid cyst in the middle cranial fossa. After operation he recovered completely. Attention is drawn to the liability of these arachnoidal cysts to hemorrhagic complications. Subdural hematoma, subarachnoidal hemorrhage and intracystic bleeding have all been reported. These may follow otherwise insignificant trauma to the head, and may have major legal implications in cases of assaults.     

蛛网膜囊肿合并慢性硬膜下血肿的治疗及临床分析

目的探讨蛛网膜囊肿合并慢性硬膜下血肿的临床特点及治疗方法。方法采用回顾性病例研究方法,对安徽省立医院神经外科2009年1月至2014年1月所收治的9例确诊为蛛网膜囊肿合并慢性硬膜下血肿患者进行分析,其中男6例,女3例,年龄1.5~60岁,平均23.9岁。临床表现为头痛患者8例;其中6例伴恶心、呕吐,1例伴有肢体无力,1例仅有肢体抽搐;有明确外伤史6例,无明确外伤史3例。结果9例患者中5例行颅骨钻孔硬膜下血肿引流术,5例患者术后均恢复良好,后出院;另2例行开颅硬膜下血肿清除并蛛网膜囊肿切除术,术后痊愈。2例患者行保守治疗,一月后复查头颅CT提示血肿较前缩小,患者无症状,未手术。9例患者分别随访10个月至4年,未再复发硬膜下血肿,生活质量可。结论蛛网膜囊肿合并慢性硬膜下血肿,常见于有头部外伤史的年轻患者。有明显临床症状者需手术治疗,并根据血肿量及是否合并囊内出血等,选择单纯做硬膜下血肿钻孔引流术还是同时开颅清除血肿并处理囊肿。     

A reappraisal of the relationship between arachnoid cysts of the middle fossa and chronic subdural haematoma.

It has been increasingly recognised that patients with arachnoid cysts of the middle fossa appear more susceptible to the development of subdural haematomas. Seven patients with arachnoid cysts of the middle fossa and associated subdural haematomas are presented. Intra-cystic haemorrhage, masking the presence of an arachnoid cyst on computed tomography (CT) is highlighted. Repeat of CT scanning in young patients with subdural haematomas in the absence of severe trauma is recommended. Two theories are proposed to account for the observed susceptibility to the development of subdural haematomas in these patients.     

Incidence and treatment of subdural hygroma in severe head injuries

In a population of 109 subjects with severe head injury (Liège score less than or equal to 12) we observed secondary development of subdural hygroma in sixteen patients. These liquefying processes were mostly secondary to the entry of CSF in the subdural space from tears in the arachnoid. Half the accumulations were accompanied by increased subdural pressure. Drainage of the subdural fluid brought clinical improvement in patients with elevated subdural pressure (greater than 15 torr).