Treatment options for intracranial arachnoid cysts: a retrospective study of 69 patients

The best surgical treatment of cerebral arachnoid cysts is yet to be established. Treatment options are shunting, endoscopic fenestration or microsurgical fenestration through craniotomy.Data from 69 patients with cerebral arachnoid cysts treated in our institution between 1997 and 2007 were reviewed.Cysts were located infratentorially in 20% (n = 14) and supratentorially in 80% (n = 55); of these 73% (n = 40) were in the middle cranial fossa. Mean cyst size was 61 mm (range 15-100 mm). The most common symptoms were headache (51%), dizziness (26%), cranial nerve dysfunction (23%), seizure (22%), nausea and vomiting (18%), and hemiparesis (13%). Surgery was performed in 83% (n = 57). First-line treatments were microsurgical fenestration (n = 30), endoscopic fenestration (n = 15), and cystoperitoneal/ventriculoperitoneal shunting (n = 11). More than one intervention was needed in 42% (n = 24). A particularly high rate of relapse (73%) was observed after endoscopic fenestration, following which 11 patients were admitted for reoperation. By comparison, only eight patients (28%) managed with microsurgical fenestration and four (36%) in the shunted group needed a second surgical procedure. Mean follow-up was 30 months. In the surgical series 79% (n = 45) had a good outcome.We conclude that the surgical treatment of arachnoid cysts has an overall good outcome. In our institution the best results were obtained with microsurgical decompression through craniotomy.