Cerebellopontine Angle Arachnoid Cyst Harbouring Ectopic Neuroglia

Abstract

Arachnoid cysts are collections of cerebrospinal fluid covered by arachnoidal cells and collagen. They may have a congenital or acquired origin. We present the case of a 7-year-old boy with a cerebellopontine angle arachnoid cyst harbouring a portion of neuroglia. Microscopically, the cyst wall consisted of a delicate fibrovascular membrane lined by a layer of arachnoidal cells. A thin layer of glial tissue ran the whole length of the cyst wall. This finding supports a congenital origin for this case. Cerebellopontine angle arachnoid cysts harbouring neuroglia without ependymal elements are very rare lesions and may be successfully treated by surgical resection.

Delayed presentation of primary parenchymal arachnoid cyst in adult population: a rare location of a common cyst—case report and review of the literature

“…The genesis of arachnoid cyst is controversial, and it is sporadic or familial. Different hypothesis are discussed like (a) it arise due to agenesis of part of the brain, or (b) due to minor aberration in the development of arachnoid that leads to splitting or duplication of the membrane (endomeninx) followed by collection of CSF (1), or (c) defect in condensation of the mesenchyme or from abnormalities of CSF flow [3,8,9]. Sylvian fissure arachnoid cyst and suprasellar arachnoid cyst [10] developed due to the splitting of membrane followed by one-way CSF flow (valve mechanism) due to vascular pulsation from surrounding vessels (sylvian: MCA, suprasellar: basilar) [5].…”

“…Management options of arachnoid cysts are craniotomy with resection of the cyst walls, a shunting procedure, stereotactic aspiration or fenestration of the cyst cavity, and neuroendoscopic fenestration [1,3,9]. Park et al [4] reported craniotomy and excision of cyst wall, and 6 months follow-up showed no recurrence.…”

“…Arachnoid cysts are seen in 4% of the population [1,2]. Intracranial arachnoid cysts usually occur adjacent to the arachnoidal cistern or cerebral fissures [3]. Primary intraparenchymal location is rare for an arachnoid cyst.…”

Surgical management of cerebellopontine angle arachnoid cysts associated with hearing deficit in pediatric patients

“…Including the 3 patients described here, 18 cases have been reported as either individual case reports or as a subgroup in a series of infratentorial arachnoid cysts (Table 1). 1,3,4,8,11,13,14,16,17,19,21,22 The indications for surgery and the type of surgical treatment are still subjects of debate. 13 Not all arachnoid cysts require surgical intervention.…”

Reversible hearing loss after 3D video-assisted marsupialization of several posterior fossa arachnoid cysts: A case report

“…Arachnoid cysts are benign lesions whose internal component consists of CSF. Most often of slow and asymptomatic progression, these lesions may become symptomatic as a result of cyst enlargement or intracystic hemorrhage [ [8] , [9] , [10] , [11] ]. These cysts become symptomatic during childhood in 70–90% of cases.…”