Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 10, 2026
14:58
Comprehensive Endovascular and Open Surgical Management of Cerebral Arteriovenous Malformations
Published on: October 20, 2017
[Intraventricular arachnoid cyst].
María Rico-Cotelo1, Lucía Diaz-Cabanas, Alfredo G Allut
1Servicio de Neurocirugía, Hospital Clínico Universitario, Departamento de Cirugía, Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, A Coruña, Spain.
Revista De Neurologia
|June 27, 2013
Summary
Intraventricular arachnoid cysts are rare in the elderly. Neuroendoscopic surgery effectively treated a 75-year-old woman
Area of Science:
- Neurosurgery
- Neurology
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- Intracranial arachnoid cysts are benign developmental anomalies, typically found in younger individuals.
- Their occurrence in the elderly is rare, making unusual presentations noteworthy.
- Intraventricular arachnoid cysts can cause mass effects and ventricular dilatation.
Observation:
- A 75-year-old woman presented with a two-year history of progressive hemiparesis.
- Cranial MRI revealed a right parieto-occipital intraventricular cyst causing mass effect and moderate lateral ventricular dilatation.
- The patient's symptoms were attributed to the intraventricular cyst.
Findings:
- A neuroendoscopic approach was employed, involving cysto-ventricle shunting and septum pellucidum fenestration.
- The surgical procedure was completed without complications.
- The patient experienced symptom resolution upon discharge.
Implications:
- Neuroendoscopic techniques offer an effective treatment option for intraventricular arachnoid cysts, even in elderly patients.
- This approach minimizes complications associated with traditional surgical methods.
- Successful management of rare intracranial lesions in older adults expands treatment possibilities.
Related Concept Videos
01:14Increased Intracranial Pressure l: Introduction
Intracranial hypertension is a sustained elevation of intracranial pressure (ICP) above 22 mm Hg. In supine adults, normal ICP is ~7–15 mm Hg.The rigid, nonexpandable cranium contains three components—brain tissue, blood, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)—that total ~1,700 mL in a typical adult: 1,400 mL brain (~80%), 150 mL blood (~10%), and 150 mL CSF (~10%). According to the Monro–Kellie doctrine, total intracranial volume is effectively fixed. When one component expands, CSF and venous blood...
01:29Increased Intracranial Pressure ll: Pathophysiology
Increased intracranial pressure (ICP) refers to a potentially life-threatening rise in pressure inside the skull. This usually happens when there is a major change in the volume of brain tissue, blood, or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) — the three components inside the skull. According to the Monro-Kellie doctrine, if the volume of one component increases, the volumes of the other components must decrease to maintain normal pressure. If this does not happen, ICP rises.The process often begins with...
01:22Cerebral Edema ll: Pathophysiology
Vasogenic edema is a major form of cerebral edema characterized by abnormal accumulation of fluid in the brain’s extracellular space due to disruption of the blood–brain barrier (BBB). The BBB is a specialized structure composed of endothelial cells connected by tight junctions, supported by astrocytic endfeet and a basement membrane. Under normal conditions, it tightly regulates the movement of ions, proteins, and solutes between the bloodstream and brain parenchyma. When this barrier loses...
01:18Anatomy of the Brain: Ventricles
There are hollow fluid-filled cavities known as ventricles deep inside the human brain. There are two lateral ventricles, one in each cerebral hemisphere, and each has three different projections — the anterior, inferior, and posterior horns visible from the lateral side. A thin membrane called the septum pellucidum separates the two lateral ventricles. The slender third ventricle in the diencephalon is connected to each lateral ventricle via a channel called the interventricular foramen. The...
01:26Brain Abscess l: Introduction
A brain abscess is a focal, intracerebral infection characterized by a localized collection of pus within the brain parenchyma, resulting from microbial invasion and the body’s inflammatory response. It progresses through stages: early and late cerebritis, followed by early and late capsule formation, reflecting tissue destruction, immune response, and eventual encapsulation.Etiology and PathogenesisCausative organisms vary with source and host factors, often involving polymicrobial infections,...
01:19Cerebral Edema l: Introduction
Cerebral edema is a pathological increase in brain water content that disrupts intracranial pressure regulation and impairs neurological function. Because the cranial vault is rigid, even modest increases in tissue volume can compromise cerebral perfusion, distort neural structures, and initiate secondary injury. Cerebral edema develops through four principal mechanisms: vasogenic, cytotoxic, interstitial, and ionic.Vasogenic EdemaVasogenic edema arises from disruption of the blood–brain...