Arachnoid cysts of the middle cranial fossa and traumatic complications

A 17-year-old boy is reported with chronic subdural hematoma and a unilateral grade III arachnoid cyst in the middle cranial fossa. After operation he recovered completely. Attention is drawn to the liability of these arachnoidal cysts to hemorrhagic complications. Subdural hematoma, subarachnoidal hemorrhage and intracystic bleeding have all been reported. These may follow otherwise insignificant trauma to the head, and may have major legal implications in cases of assaults.