Symptomatic Surgically Treated Non-neoplastic Cysts of the Central Nervous System: A Clinicopathological Study From Pakistan.

Abstract

To report clinicopathologic features of symptomatic surgically removed non-neoplastic cysts of the central nervous system (CNS). Case series. The Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, from 2003 to 2012. All non-neoplastic CNS cysts reported during the study period were retrieved and reviewed. Age, gender, location, histologic type and clinical features were noted. A total of 124 cysts were diagnosed in the study period. These included 44 epidermoid cysts (mean age 30.5 ± 13.8 years), 35 colloid cysts (mean age 31 ±13.2 years), 32 arachnoid cysts (mean age 24.8 ±20.2 years), 6 dermoid cysts, 3 enterogenous cysts and Rathke's cleft cysts each and 1 ependymal cyst. All cyst types mainly presented in young adults in both genders with signs and symptoms of a mass lesion. Non-neoplastic cyst mainly presented like a CNS mass lesion in young adults. Epidermoids were the most common type of these cysts in the present series followed by the colloid and the arachnoid cysts.