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Arachnoid cyst of the posterior fossa

Mohammed Aggouri1, Said A Boujraf, Mohammed Benzagmout

  • 1Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital of Fez, Fez, Morocco.

Neurosciences (Riyadh, Saudi Arabia)
|October 20, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Posterior fossa arachnoid cysts are rare. This case report details a 49-year-old man with a posterior fossa arachnoid cyst successfully treated with surgical removal, resolving his symptoms.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Neurosurgery
  • Radiology

Background:

  • Arachnoid cysts are congenital anomalies resulting from a separation of the arachnoid mater layers.
  • Posterior fossa arachnoid cysts are particularly uncommon, often presenting with non-specific neurological symptoms.

Observation:

  • A 49-year-old male presented with a two-month history of headaches, nausea, vertigo, and gait instability.
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) revealed a midline cystic lesion in the posterior fossa with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) signal intensity.
  • The cyst was well-circumscribed, lacked communication with the fourth ventricle, and differential diagnoses included arachnoid or hydatid cysts.

Findings:

  • Surgical exploration and complete excision of the cyst wall were performed.
  • Histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of an arachnoid cyst.

Implications:

  • Surgical intervention can lead to complete resolution of symptoms in patients with posterior fossa arachnoid cysts.
  • Early diagnosis and surgical management are crucial for favorable outcomes.
  • This case highlights the importance of considering arachnoid cysts in the differential diagnosis of posterior fossa lesions presenting with neurological deficits.

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