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Helmetlike skull deformity with a large arachnoid cyst
Seoung Woo Park1, Ki Hong Cho, Yong Sam Shin
1Department of Neurosurgery, Kangwon National University College of Medicine, Chunchon 200-701, Korea.
Surgical Neurology
|December 28, 2005
Summary
Large supratentorial arachnoid cysts can cause significant skull deformities, such as a helmet-like appearance. Early treatment of these cysts in childhood may prevent skull deformities and increased intracranial pressure in adulthood.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pediatric Neurosurgery
- Radiology
Background:
- Intracranial arachnoid cysts are known to cause skull deformities like macrocrania.
- However, large, localized skull protuberant deformities resembling a war helmet have not been previously reported.
Observation:
- A 35-year-old man presented with a helmet-like skull deformity, mental retardation, sixth cranial nerve palsy, and symptoms of increased intracranial pressure.
- MRI revealed a large supratentorial arachnoid cyst causing hydrocephalus and significant mass effect.
- MR venogram showed displacement of venous sinuses, and radioisotopic cisternogram indicated impaired cerebrospinal fluid flow.
Findings:
- The patient's symptoms improved significantly after surgical intervention with a cystoperitoneal shunt.
- This case highlights a rare presentation of a large supratentorial arachnoid cyst leading to a severe helmet-like skull deformity.
Implications:
- Early diagnosis and treatment of large arachnoid cysts in childhood are crucial.
- Intervention can prevent the development of severe skull deformities and long-term complications of increased intracranial pressure.
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