The neurosurgical treatment of intracranial arachnoid cysts in child

Abstract

Objective Arachnoid cysts are non - tumorous intra - arachnoid fluid collections that account for about 1％ of all intracranial space - occupying lesions.So far,the optimal method of treatment for symptomatic arachnoid cysts remains controversial.In this article,we want to find an ideal technique to deal with this condition.Method The hospital records of 37 consecutive patients with intracranial arachnoid cysts who were treated in Tianjin Huanhu Hospital between January 2004 and December 2009,were analyzed retrospectively.All the patients were children below the age of 15 years old with an average of 6.7 years old.The diagnosis of arachnoid cyst was based on computerized tomography (CT) and MRI scan findings demonstrating a well - circumscribed and non - enhancing cystic lesion that had attenuation values similar to those of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and did not communicate with the ventricular system.They were divided into three groups as follow,group A ( 12 patients ),open craniotomy; group B ( 20 patients ),cyst -peritoneal shunting,and group C (5 patients),endoscopic fenestration.Results The symptoms and neurological signs were improved more or little in all the 3 group patients who accepted the neurosurgical treatment.There were no significant differences between among the 3 groups in releasing of the symptom and sign caused by cysts.On the other hand,there were high percentage of complications,including intracranial infections and subdural fluid collections in the group A.Conclusions The technique of cysto - peritoneal shunting is likely the optimal method for treating the intracranial arachnoid cysts in children. Key words: Child ; Arachnoid cysts ; Neurosurgical procedures ;