Arachnoid cysts on magnetic resonance imaging: just an incidental finding?

2020 ◽  
Vol 134 (5) ◽  
pp. 424-430 ◽  
Author(s):  
L Li ◽  
F Begbie ◽  
N Grimmond ◽  
G Kontorinis
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Resonance Imaging ◽  
Magnetic Resonance ◽  
Clinical Significance ◽  
Arachnoid Cyst ◽  
Incidental Finding ◽  
Arachnoid Cysts ◽  
Resonance Imaging ◽  
Age And Gender ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Repeat Imaging

AbstractObjectiveTo determine the clinical significance of arachnoid cysts.MethodsThe scans of 6978 patients undergoing magnetic resonance imaging of the internal acoustic meatus for unilateral cochleovestibular symptoms were retrospectively reviewed. We identified the scans with arachnoid cysts, and assessed the statistical associations between the laterality, location and size of the arachnoid cyst, the laterality of symptoms, the patients’ age and gender.ResultsIn a total of 37 arachnoid cysts identified in 36 patients (0.5 per cent), no associations were identified between the laterality of symptoms and the laterality of the arachnoid cyst, regardless of its size or location. There were no significant associations between the location of the arachnoid cyst and the age (p = 0.99) or gender of the patient (p = 0.13), or size (p = 0.656) or side of the cyst (p = 0.61). None of the cysts with repeat imaging scans (17 cysts) demonstrated growth.ConclusionOur results suggest that most, if not all, arachnoid cysts are of no clinical significance. Given their indolent behaviour, even serial imaging is not essential.

scholarly journals A retrospective study of quadrigeminal arachnoid cysts diagnosed by Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Computed Tomography in 26 dogs

2018 ◽  
Vol 38 (2) ◽  
pp. 300-308
Author(s):  
Lidiane S. Alves ◽  
Diego Rodriguez ◽  
Vânia M.V. Machado ◽  
Maria J. Mamprim ◽  
Luiz C. Vulcano ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Computed Tomography ◽  
Retrospective Study ◽  
Magnetic Resonance ◽  
Arachnoid Cyst ◽  
Incidental Finding ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Arachnoid Cysts ◽  
Resonance Imaging ◽  
Computed Tomography Imaging ◽  
Tomography Imaging

ABSTRACT: Arachnoid cysts are accumulations of cerebrospinal fluid that occur within the arachnoid membrane due to the splitting or duplication of this structure. The aim of this retrospective study is to report the occurrence of this condition in 26 dogs, as well as to describe the findings of computed tomography imaging and magnetic resonance image scans and to correlate these with the clinical signs. A prevalence of the condition was observed in males, predominantly in the small breeds Miniature Pinscher and Shih Tzu, with age raging from 2 months to 9 years. The mainly clinical signs observed in these dogs were seizures and cerebellar ataxia. The study concluded that in 17 dogs the quadrigeminal arachnoid cyst was regarded as an incidental finding, in 6 dogs this condition was regarded as the determinant cause of the clinical signs, and in 3 dogs some clinical signs were associated with arachnoid cyst, but they also presented clinical signs involving others sites of intracranial lesion.

Active spontaneous decompression of a suprasellar-prepontine arachnoid cyst detected with routine magnetic resonance imaging

2009 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 70-72 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bradley P. Thomas ◽  
Matthew M. Pearson ◽  
Curtis A. Wushensky
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Resonance Imaging ◽  
Magnetic Resonance ◽  
Mr Imaging ◽  
Arachnoid Cyst ◽  
Male Infant ◽  
Ventricular System ◽  
Arachnoid Cysts ◽  
Resonance Imaging ◽  
Csf Flow ◽  
Routine Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Arachnoid cysts are congenital CSF collections that arise adjacent to arachnoid cisterns. These lesions can be incidental neuroimaging findings but may also cause symptoms and necessitate treatment, particularly in children. The authors present their experience with a male infant harboring a large suprasellar-prepontine arachnoid cyst who underwent spontaneous decompression into the ventricular system, as evidenced by a visualized CSF flow jet observed on routine MR imaging.

INTRASELLAR ARACHNOID CYSTS

Neurosurgery ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 61 (3) ◽  
pp. 505-513 ◽  
Author(s):  
Annie S. Dubuisson ◽  
Achille Stevenaert ◽  
Didier H. Martin ◽  
Pierre P. Flandroy
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Resonance Imaging ◽  
Magnetic Resonance ◽  
Arachnoid Cyst ◽  
Water Soluble ◽  
Arachnoid Cysts ◽  
Resonance Imaging ◽  
Rapid Weight Gain ◽  
Presenting Symptoms ◽  
Subarachnoid Spaces ◽  
Suprasellar Extension

Abstract OBJECTIVE To evaluate the clinical, endocrinological, and radiological presentation of nine cases of surgically verified intrasellar arachnoid cysts and to discuss the physiopathological mechanisms of formation of these cysts. METHODS Among 1540 patients presenting with pituitary lesions, nine presented with an intrasellar arachnoid cyst. Their charts were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS Presenting symptoms included headache (n = 2), visual symptoms (n = 3), menstrual irregularities (n = 2), rapid weight gain (n = 1), vertigo (n = 1), and/or confusion (n = 1). Two cysts were discovered incidentally. T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging scans showed an intrasellar cystic lesion in all cases, with a huge suprasellar extension in six cases. The cyst was of the same intensity as the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in only two patients. A transsphenoidal approach allowed the transdural aspiration of fluid and injection of a water-soluble contrast agent under mild pressure. In three patients, the contrast infiltrated along the pituitary stalk toward the subarachnoid spaces; in the other patients, it remained in the intrasellar compartment. Cyst membranes were removed as completely as possible with fenestration toward the subarachnoid spaces in communicating cysts. In spite of tight packing of the sella and sphenoid sinus, CSF fistulae requiring reoperation developed in two patients. CONCLUSION The clinical picture of an intrasellar arachnoid cyst resembles that of a nonfunctional pituitary adenoma. Magnetic resonance imaging scans typically show a cystic intrasellar lesion with suprasellar extension, containing isointense or, more often, hyperintense fluid on T1-weighted sequences. In spite of the risk of CSF fistulae, the preferred surgical approach is transsphenoidal. A physiopathological mechanism is proposed according to anatomic variations of the sellar diaphragma allowing penetration of subarachnoid spaces into the sellar compartment and their enlargement by a ball-valve mechanism.

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