scholarly journals Cut it out or wait it out? Case series of middle fossa arachnoid cysts presenting with psychiatric symptoms and a discussion of the ethics of neurosurgical management

2021 ◽  
Vol 34 (6) ◽  
pp. e100523
Author(s):  
Petrus Johannes Steyn ◽  
Leigh Luella Van den Heuvel

Arachnoid cysts have been linked to neuropsychiatric morbidity. We describe two patients presenting with dissociative and manic symptoms believed to be associated with middle fossa arachnoid cysts. They were managed medically and remitted eventually, but symptoms were resistant. We briefly review the literature to discuss mechanisms by which cysts could cause symptoms and consider whether neurosurgical management would be appropriate. Although neurosurgery can be considered, its role is currently limited by practical and ethical considerations.

2013 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 87
Author(s):  
Sila Yazar ◽  
Nurhan Fistikci ◽  
Gulsum Canturk ◽  
Serap Oflaz ◽  
Ali Kucuktufekci ◽  
...  

2007 ◽  
Vol 43 (3) ◽  
pp. 209-215 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohamed Samy A. Elhammady ◽  
Sanjiv Bhatia ◽  
John Ragheb

2015 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 114-121 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. De Keersmaecker ◽  
P. Ramaekers ◽  
F. Claus ◽  
I. Witters ◽  
E. Ortibus ◽  
...  

2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
pp. 135-142 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Gulati ◽  
B. D. Kelly ◽  
D. Meagher ◽  
H. Kennedy ◽  
C. P. Dunne

ObjectivesWe sought to identify and review published studies that discuss the ethical considerations, from a physician’s perspective, of managing a hunger strike in a prison setting.MethodsA database search was conducted to identify relevant publications. We included case studies, case series, guidelines and review articles published over a 20-year period. Non-English language publications were translated.ResultsThe review found 23 papers from 12 jurisdictions published in five languages suitable for inclusion.ConclusionsKey themes from included publications are identified and summarised in the context of accepted guidelines from the World Medical Association. Whilst there seems to be an overall consensus favouring autonomy over beneficence, tensions along this fine balance are magnified in jurisdictions where legislation leads to a dual loyalty conflict for the physician.


2016 ◽  
Vol 33 (S1) ◽  
pp. S636-S636
Author(s):  
C. Martín Álvarez ◽  
F. Cadenas Extremera ◽  
V. Alonso García ◽  
M. del Valle Loarte ◽  
M. Bravo Arraez ◽  
...  

IntroductionIn psychiatric clinical practice, we can face numerous organic diseases in the differential diagnosis between primary psychiatric disorders. As an example of this, we can see the autoimmune limbic encephalitis(LE), which in a significant percentage of cases begins with psychiatric symptoms. Currently, one of the theories of the origin of the LE is as a idiopathic autoimmune entity, leaving behind the idea of been generated only by a viral or paraneoplastic etiology.ObjectiveTo achieve a better knowledge about this underdiagnosed entity, presenting a case of an anti-LGI1 limbic encephalitis.CaseA 60-year-old Caucasian woman who starts with neuropsychiatric symptoms as: behavioral disorders, manic symptoms, memory impairment and attention deficit.ResultsFinally, the diagnosis was confirmed when the patient had positive results in both serum and CSF samples for anti-LGI1 antibodies. Gastric neuroendocrino tumour type I was discovered. Neither paraneoplasic syndrome nor onconeuronal antibodies were shown. A thin hyperintense signal was identified in the left hippocampus using a brain MRI. Despite the patient had been treated with corticosteroids, immunosuppressants and immunoglobulins, she still showed positive antibodies in CSF samples with poor clinical results, especially psychiatric symptoms. The patient required one psychiatric hospitalization due to reference and persecutory delusions and manic symptoms.ConclusionOur patient had an unsatisfactory evolution with little response to immune treatment. Given the possible underdiagnosis of this condition, the importance of a differential diagnosis and an early treatment, we consider that there is an important need for a greater knowledge and scientific divulgation of this clinical entity.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.


2007 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 1-4 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruth E. Bristol ◽  
Felipe C. Albuquerque ◽  
Cameron McDougall ◽  
Robert F. Spetzler

✓Although many arachnoid cysts are discovered incidentally and require no intervention, a small subset has been known to rupture. Note that rupture can occur either spontaneously or in association with trauma. Based on a review of the literature on ruptured arachnoid cysts, it appears that patients with middle fossa cysts are more likely to experience symptomatic traumatic rupture than those with cysts in other locations. Middle fossa cysts are more commonly associated with hemispheric subdural collections and hematomas than are any other cysts. The authors report on two representative cases illustrating the distinct presentation, imaging characteristics, and management of these cysts.


2009 ◽  
Vol 110 (4) ◽  
pp. 792-799 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joachim M. K. Oertel ◽  
Jörg Baldauf ◽  
Henry W. S. Schroeder ◽  
Michael R. Gaab

Object The optimal therapy of arachnoid cysts is controversial. In symptomatic extraventricular arachnoid cysts, fenestration into the basal cisterns is the gold standard. If this is not feasible, shunt placement is frequently performed although another endoscopic option is available. Methods Between March 1997 and June 2006, 12 endoscopic cystoventriculostomies were performed for the treatment of arachnoid cysts in 11 patients (4 male and 7 female patients, mean age 52 years [range 14–71 years]). All patients were prospectively followed up. Results In 11 cases, the arachnoid cysts were frontotemporoparietal and fenestration was performed into the lateral ventricle. In 1 case, the arachnoid cyst was located in the cerebellum and the cyst was fenestrated into the fourth ventricle. Neuronavigational guidance was used in all but 1 case. Endoscopic cystoventriculostomy was performed in all cases without complications. No stents were placed. The mean surgical time was 71 minutes (range 30–110 minutes). The mean follow-up period was 42.7 months (range 19–96 months) per surgical case and 48.8 months (range 19–127 months) per patient. Symptoms improved after 11 of the 12 procedures; 7 of the 11 patients became symptom-free and the others had only mild residual symptoms. The patient who did not experience clinical improvement suffered from depression and demonstrated a significant decrease of the cyst size on the postoperative MR imaging. After 11 of 12 procedures, a decrease in cyst size was observed. In 1 case, a subdural hematoma developed; it required surgical treatment 3 months after surgery. In another case, reclosure of the stoma required repeated endoscopic cystoventriculostomy more than 7 years after the initial procedure. Conclusions Overall, endoscopic cystoventriculostomy represents a useful treatment option for patients with paraxial arachnoid cysts in whom a standard cystocisternotomy is not feasible. Based on the results in this case series, stent placement appears not to be required. Despite the long mean follow-up of almost 4 years, however, a longer follow-up period seems to be required before definite conclusions can be drawn.


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