内镜开窗治疗有症状的透明隔囊肿

目的 总结内镜开窗治疗有症状的透明隔囊肿的手术技巧与效果.方法 回顾性分析36例采用内镜开窗治疗有症状的透明隔囊肿病人的临床资料,其中采用纵裂-胼胝体入路1例,术前CT定位、枕外侧钻孔经侧脑室三角区入路8例,立体定向引导、额外侧钻孔经侧脑室额角入路27例.结果 所有病人均完成内镜下囊肿开窗操作,透明隔囊肿张力消失,本组无复发和死亡病例.32例随访3个月～7年,病人术前症状明显缓解或消失28例,症状无缓解4例.术后发生并发症4例,其中颅内感染2例,永久性轻偏瘫2例.结论 对有症状的透明隔囊肿,内镜下囊肿单侧壁开窗是一种较为合理的处理方式.立体定向或导航引导经侧脑室额角入路手术更可靠、安全.     

Cyst of the third ventricle as an unusual cause of acquired hydrocephalus

Cysts of the third ventricle are rare congenital suprasellar malformations of arachnoidal, endodermal, or neuroepithelial origin. Depending on their size and location, they can cause space-occupying intracranial lesions and hydrocephalus occlusus by obstruction of the aqueduct or foramen of Monro. They can be missed on routine computer tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. A 2-year-old boy presented signs of intracranial pressure. Initial magnetic resonance imaging revealed a triventricular internal hydrocephalus with no visible etiologic lesion. An extended investigation with the constructive interference in steady state-technique showed a mobile cystic cerebrospinal fluid-intense lesion within the third ventricle, causing transient occlusion of the foramen of Monro. A suprasellar cyst of the third ventricle is an important differential diagnosis in apparently "idiopathic" internal hydrocephalus. In such cases, magnetic resonance imaging using the constructive interference in steady state-technique with a slice thickness of 1 mm is the method of choice for detecting intraventricular cysts. Neurosurgical fenestration and/or resection of the cyst by neuroendoscopy can resolve cerebrospinal fluid circulation disturbances and seems to be superior to a shunt.     

Spinal intradural neuroepithelial cyst associated with multiple congenital anomalies in a child

A case of spinal intradural neuroepithelial cyst is presented. The patient, who had thoracolumbar hypertrichosis, underwent magnetic resonance imaging which demonstrated a cystic lesion within spinal canal. The cystic lesion was removed surgically. Histological study proved it to be a neuroepithelial cyst. Spinal intradural neuroepithelial cyst associated with other congenital malformations is a rare condition.     

Conservative management of recurrent enterogenous cysts of the cervical spine: A case report

Enterogenous cysts are rare benign congenital tumours of the central nervous system. The aim of management is complete resection to minimise the chance of recurrence. To date, management of recurrence has favoured further surgical resection. We describe the case of a recurrent enterogenous cyst of the cervical spine, initially treated with decompression via laminectomy and fenestration. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) follow up has demonstrated spontaneous recurrence and deflation of the cyst on multiple occasions. We propose that conservative management of recurrent enterogenous cysts may be a valid management option following fenestration or partial resection of the cyst, and that recurrence may not always warrant further surgical intervention.     

The use of an adjustable valve to treat over-drainage of a cyst-peritoneal shunt in a child with a large sylvian fissure arachnoid cyst

Introduction The cyst-peritoneal shunt is a recognised surgical alternative in the management of sylvian fissure arachnoid cysts. Shunt overdrainage is well described in literature on ventriculo-peritoneal shunts, but not often appreciated as a complication of cysto-peritoneal shunts.Case report A 5-year-old boy presented with a symptomatic left sylvian fissure arachnoid cyst. This was initially treated by craniotomy and membrane fenestration in the carotid cistern. Recurrence led to insertion of a valveless cyst-peritoneal shunt 5 months later. Initial progress was followed by persistent headaches 18 months after shunt insertion. CT scan revealed a significant reduction in the cyst size, enlargement of the ipsilateral lateral ventricle, collapse of the contra-lateral ventricle and midline shift towards the side of the shunt. These findings were interpreted as over-drainage of the cyst-peritoneal shunt.Result A Codman Medos adjustable valve was inserted, with the intention of gradually increasing the pressure until the midline shift was restored and the contra-lateral ventricle was reconstituted. This was achieved with the valve set at 90 mm H₂O, verified by CT scan. Radiological improvement was associated with dramatic symptomatic improvement.Conclusion Over-drainage of cyst-peritoneal shunts is often not appreciated, especially when the main manifestation is headaches. As it is difficult to predict the required valve pressure setting, it may be advisable to consider the use of an adjustable valve.The material of this paper was presented as a poster at the 31st Annual Meeting of the International Society for Pediatric Neurosurgery, Monaco, 14–18 September 2003     

Iatrogenic intradural arachnoid cyst following tethered cord release in a child

Iatrogenic arachnoid cysts represent uncommon complications of intradural spinal procedures. Here we present the case of a 7-year-old girl who was found to have a symptomatic, pathologically proven, intradural arachnoid cyst 3 years following tethered cord release. The patient originally presented with abnormal urodynamics testing and was found to have fatty infiltration in her filum terminale. She underwent sectioning of the filum terminale without complications. The patient presented 3 years later with pain and neurogenic claudication. The patient was successfully treated with subarachnoid cyst fenestration with resolution of her bilateral lower extremity pain. Spinal intradural arachnoid cysts represent an important, though rare, postoperative complication of dural opening.     

Neuroepithelial cysts presenting with movement disorders: two cases

BACKGROUND: The authors present two cases of movement disorders caused by neuroepithelial cysts and highlight their management. Neuroepithelial cysts are ependymal or epithelial lined fluid collections of unknown etiology within the central nervous system parenchyma with no obvious ventricular or subarachnoid connection. Most cysts are asymptomatic, however, some present with seizures, mass effect, or rarely with movement disorders. CASE REPORTS: The first patient, a 27-year-old female, presented with progressive weakness, dystonic posturing, tremor, ballismus and choreoathetotic movements of her right upper extremity. Her symptoms improved after stereotactic drainage of a neuroepithelial cyst in her basal ganglia but recurred within a year. The second case, a 56-year-old female, presented with diplopia, nystagmus, gait imbalance and hemiparesis. Her symptoms improved after stereotactic drainage of a midbrain neuroepithelial cyst. The cyst reaccumulated over the next few years and she became symptomatic with left arm tremor and facial weakness. Aspiration was again performed with symptomatic improvement for nine months. Her tremor recurred and a cyst access device was placed stereotactically. She improved and has remained stable for over a year. CONCLUSION: Simple stereotactic drainage of neuroepithelial cysts has a high recurrence rate. The authors recommend considering placement of a drainage device to facilitate aspiration of the cyst fluid during follow-up, if needed.     

Giant intradural extramedullary arachnoid cyst of the thoracic spine

Spinal intradural arachnoid cysts (ACs) are found frequently in the thoracic region, and often extend over four or five vertebral levels. We present a 28-year-old patient who had a giant thoracic congenital intradural extramedullary AC (T1–T12) with a 10-month history of pain, paresthesia, paraparesis and gait ataxia. A T3 to T6 laminectomy was performed. After durotomy, the posterior wall of the AC was visualized compressing the spinal cord. We resected the cyst wall as widely as possible and connected the cyst to the subarachnoid space using a catheter. There were no postoperative complications. At 1-year follow-up, the patient presented with no motor deficits or pain, and had experienced progressive resolution of the gait ataxia. The treatment of giant intradural extramedullary ACs, especially for those that cannot be totally excised, should include generous fenestration and the insertion of a cyst–subarachnoid shunt.     

Acute hydrocephalus in a child with a third ventricle arachnoid cyst and coincidental enteroviral meningitis

We present a 2.5-year-old child suffering from acute hydrocephalus. First, the child was diagnosed with aseptic viral meningitis. The PCR of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was positive for enterovirus. Subsequently, MRI revealed that the hydrocephalus was caused by a cyst in the third ventricle. During ventriculoscopy, the cyst had all aspects of an arachnoid cyst. An endoscopic fenestration and partial removal of the cyst was performed, combined with a ventriculocisternostomy. The coincidental finding of viral meningitis and a third ventricle arachnoid cyst in a patient with acute hydrocephalus has, to our knowledge, not been described in literature before. If there is a relation between the enteroviral meningitis, the arachnoid cyst (possibly causing a pre-existing subclinical hydrocephalus) and the rapidly evolving neurological deterioration, remains speculative. Proposed mechanisms, by which the viral meningitis could accelerate the disease process, are slight brain swelling or increased CSF production. This rare combination of diagnoses could also be coincidental.     

Late appearance of hydrocephalus associated with posttraumatic intradiploic arachnoid cyst

Case report We present a case of a posttraumatic intradiploic arachnoid cyst associated with hydrocephalus in a 16-year-old boy. The diagnosis was missed 2 years previously, when an MRI following a transient gait disturbance failed to show the intradiploic extension of the cyst. He presented to us with hydrocephalus and a CT scan clearly identified the intradiploic position of the cyst.Outcome A fenestration between the lateral ventricle and the cyst with aqueductoplasty and ETV were performed with good results.     

Neuroendoscopic options in the treatment of mesencephalic expanding cysts: Report of four cases and review of the literature

Objective

Mesencephalic expanding cysts, also called lacunae, are rare intraparenchymal, multilobulated cavities of variable diameter mostly localized in the thalamo-mesencephalic region. In symptomatic cases, usually presenting with hydrocephalus or midbrain syndrome, surgical treatment is required and, considering their position, a minimally invasive approach should be preferred.

Methods

Four cases of expanding mesencephalic cysts endoscopically treated in three different Italian centers are described. Other possible causes of intracerebral cyst were excluded in all cases by complete neuroimaging and laboratory screening. All patients presented with signs and symptoms of midbrain compression and a slight to moderate ventricular dilation was present in three cases.

Results

All patients underwent endoscopic cyst fenestration into the ventricle, associated with endoscopic third-ventriculostomy (ETV) in two cases and with cyst wall biopsy in one case. One patient suffered from transient worsening of her hemiparesis due to intraoperative bleeding. All patients showed clinical improvement and a reduction in cyst size on follow-up magnetic resonance images (MRI).

Conclusion

Neuroendoscopy appears to be an effective, probably definitive surgical option in the treatment of symptomatic mesencephalic expanding cysts. Associating ETV with cyst fenestration seems to offer more complete treatment. Deep intracystic navigation and cyst wall biopsy should be avoided.     

Endoscopic treatment of suprasellar and third ventricle-related arachnoid cysts

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the role of neuroendoscopy in the treatment of rare suprasellar and other third ventricle-related arachnoid cysts. METHODS: A review of supratentorial midline arachnoid cysts treated by endoscopic fenestration. RESULTS: Ten cases were identified. The median age of these ten patients was 7.5 years. In three a cysto- or ventriculoperitoneal shunt had previously been inserted. Six cysts were located in the suprasellar/prepontine area, one was a combined suprasellar/middle fossa cyst, and three were complex cysts arising mainly in the quadrigeminal cistern and extending into the third ventricle. Successful endoscopic fenestration to both the ventricular system and the basal cisterns ("bipolar" fenestration) was achieved in all cases. In seven cases a cystoventriculostomy and cystocisternostomy was performed, while in three a cystoventriculostomy was combined with a third ventriculostomy, achieving additional communication to the subarachnoid space. The previously inserted shunts were removed at the end of the procedure. The median follow-up period was 17 (range 1-30) months. The clinical outcome was excellent in all cases, despite only marginal reduction in the cyst size and persistence of ventriculomegaly in some cases. No further treatment to the cyst was required during the period of follow-up. CONCLUSION: Third ventricle-related arachnoid cysts can be satisfactorily and safely treated by endoscopy. This approach leaves the patient shunt independent.     

Endoscopic fenestration of the third ventricle in the reverse direction

Introduction A case of safely treated parasellar cyst by endoscopic fenestration of the third ventricular floor from outside of the ventricle to establish communications between the cyst and the ventricle is reported. Materials and methods During the endoscopic procedures, the anterior commissure and the foramina of Monro could be clearly observed using this approach. Conclusion In treating parasellar cysts with thick walls, endoscopic fenestration of the third ventricular floor in the reverse direction, i.e., from inside of the cyst, should be considered.     

Choroid plexus cyst of the third ventricle presenting as acute triventriculomegaly

INTRODUCTION: Cystic lesions in and around the third ventricle have been known to cause intermittent and acute obstruction of the foramen of Monroe with rapid onset symptoms. Most of these lesions are seen on routine investigations, whereas some are not so obvious resulting in mistaken diagnosis. Symptomatic choroids plexus cysts have only been infrequently reported, predominantly in the lateral ventricle. CASE REPORT: A 3-year-old female child presented with rapid loss of consciousness for the first time. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging scans only showed triventriculomegaly. Endoscopy revealed a cyst of the third ventricle, which was excised, leading to good recovery. Biopsy of the wall revealed a choroid plexus cyst. CONCLUSION: Choroid plexus cysts are rare causes for symptomatic obstruction of the third ventricle and may be difficult to detect on routine investigations and may lead to the wrong choice of treatment. Endoscopic fenestration or excision is a good option to manage such lesions.     

脑室囊性病变的诊断与治疗(附11例报告)

目的总结脑室囊性病变的诊断及治疗经验。方法对我科经手术治疗的11例脑室囊性病变的临床表现、影像学特征及处理方法进行分析。结果手术摘除并经病理证实为脑囊虫5例，脑包虫2例；囊壁切除或部分切除经组织学证实为神经上皮性囊肿4例。结论脑室囊性病变临床表现无特异性，影像学虽具有一定特征性，但定性诊断较困难。有颅高压者的治疗应以手术为手段，若能明确诊断者可分别采取不同手术方式，否则应采用探查性手术。     

Neuroepithelial cyst of the cerebellopontine angle: A case report with a review of the literature

A 44-year-old woman had occasional headaches and dysfunction of the facial and trigeminal nerves on the left side as well as ataxia. These clinical manifestations disappeared after removal from the left cerebellopontine angle of a 3 × 4.5 × 5-cm prealbumin-positive cyst of the choroid plexus epithelium, a type of neuroepithelial cyst. A review of 57 reported cases of neuroepithelial cysts in the posterior cranial fossa disclosed 32 symptomatic cysts (56%) and 25 symptomless cysts (44%). The recorded age of 35 patients ranged from 5.5 months to 65 years with the average age of 30 years for both genders; 14% of patients were less than 1-year-old. The ratio of males and females was 1:1. The cysts were located at the following sites: fourth ventricle (51%); intraneural substance as in cerebellar vermis, pons and mesencephalon (7%), and posterior cranial fossa proper (42%) especially in the cerebellopontine angle (18%). The pathogenesis of these cysts is proposed to be related to developmental anomaly of the neuroepithelium which also includes the ectopic neuroepithelial elements. Surgical extirpation of the cyst is the treatment of choice. Total resection should be attempted if it is feasible depending on where the cyst is situated. Fenestrating the cyst wall is also a useful surgical procedure in order to allow communication between the cyst contents and the pathway of the cerebrospinal fluid for abolishing the increased intracranial pressure.     

Combined neuroepithelial (colloid) cyst and xanthogranuloma (xanthoma) in the third ventricle.

A case is reported of a combined neuroepithelial cyst and xanthogranuloma of the choroid plexus in the third ventricle of a 22-year-old woman. It is suggested that proliferated neuroepithelial cells lining the cyst enter the fibrous wall through the disrupted basal lamina, and then become xanthomatous cells. Disintegration of these foamy epithelial cells releases lipids and other materials into the cyst wall, provoking a response of macrophages and multinucleated giant cells of foreign-body type. A xanthogranuloma is then formed. The origin of "colloid" cysts is from neuroepithelium; these cysts arise from both ependyma and choroid plexus. Those cysts arising in or near the floor of the third ventricle may originate in stomodeal epithelium, but a distinction cannot be made from neuroepithelial cysts by presently available methods.     

Spinal Extradural Arachnoid Cyst

Spinal extradural arachnoid cyst (SEAC) is a rare disease and uncommon cause of compressive myelopathy. The etiology remains still unclear. We experienced 2 cases of SEACs and reviewed the cases and previous literatures. A 59-year-old man complained of both leg radiating pain and paresthesia for 4 years. His MRI showed an extradural cyst from T12 to L3 and we performed cyst fenestration and repaired the dural defect with tailored laminectomy. Another 51-year-old female patient visited our clinical with left buttock pain and paresthesia for 3 years. A large extradural cyst was found at T1-L2 level on MRI and a communication between the cyst and subarachnoid space was illustrated by CT-myelography. We performed cyst fenestration with primary repair of dural defect. Both patients'' symptoms gradually subsided and follow up images taken 1-2 months postoperatively showed nearly disappeared cysts. There has been no documented recurrence in these two cases so far. Tailored laminotomy with cyst fenestration can be a safe and effective alternative choice in treating SEACs compared to traditional complete resection of cyst wall with multi-level laminectomy.     

Expanding cyst following temporal lobectomy: an unusual complication of epilepsy surgery.

Following anterior temporal lobectomy performed to control intractable complex partial seizures (CPS), it is rare to find a symptomatic cyst at the lobectomy site causing increased intracranial pressure and neurological deterioration. We report a 24-year-old lady who underwent anterior temporal lobectomy with extended amygdalohippocampectomy for CPS of temporal lobe origin. Ten months following the procedure, she developed a large expanding cyst at the temporal lobectomy site manifesting with recurrence of CPS, progressive focal neurological deficit and increased intracranial pressure. The patient underwent a repeat craniotomy, decompression of the cyst along with wide excision of the wall and fenestration of the arachnoid membrane into the basal cisterns. Following the procedure, the features of increased intracranial pressure and focal neurological deficit promptly improved and her seizures became better controlled. Craniotomy and fenestration of a symptomatic iatrogenic cyst following temporal lobectomy results in clinical improvement, obviating the need for a permanent cystoperitoneal shunt.