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Arachnoid Cyst

Robert Baldor, md Reviewed 04/2024
 


BASICS

DESCRIPTION

  • Histologically benign, CSF-filled, space-occupying lesion of the central nervous system

  • May be intracranial (most are supratentorial), spinal, or perineuronal

  • Classification (1)

    • Primar...

DIAGNOSIS

HISTORY

Most cases are asymptomatic, and the cyst is an incidental finding. 
Presenting symptoms depend on the size and location of the cyst (1,4): 
  • Intracranial arachnoid cysts (1,5)

    • Hydrocep...

TREATMENT

Most patients are asymptomatic or have symptoms that are best managed by observation. Treatment is indicated when cysts cause mass effect or become symptomatic. 

SURGERY/OTHER PROCEDURES

Surge...

ONGOING CARE

FOLLOW-UP RECOMMENDATIONS

Patient Monitoring

  • Repeat CTs or MRIs are recommended, no more than yearly, for patients being managed by clinical observation.

  • For incidentally discovered arachnoi...

REFERENCES

1
Cincu  R, Agrawal  A, Eiras  J. Intracranial arachnoid cysts: current concepts and treatment alternatives. Clin Neurol Neurosurg.  2007; ...

CODES

ICD10

  • G93.0 Cerebral cysts

  • Q04.6 Congenital cerebral cysts

SNOMED

  • 33595009 arachnoid cyst (disorder)

  • 19276002 congenital cerebral cyst (disorder)

  • 253162003 Cerebral arachnoid cyst

  • 253163008 spinal arac...

CLINICAL PEARLS

  • Most arachnoid cysts are asymptomatic and do not require treatment.

  • The degree of symptoms produced by an arachnoid cyst, not the cyst's location or size, is the most important factor i...

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