Abstract
Introduction
Colloid cysts are uncommon in children. They occur more frequently in young adults.
Methodology
This is a retrospective study on all pediatric patients (≤18 years) with colloid cysts treated surgically in our institute between 1977 and 2005.
Results
A total of 43 patients with colloid cyst were treated surgically. Seven pediatric patients (16% of the total number of patients) were identified. Patients’ ages ranged from 6 to 18 years (mean of 14.1±4.67). They all presented clinically with symptoms and signs of increased intracranial pressure. Radiologically, the cyst size ranged from 10 to 25 mm (mean of 16.1±5.2). All patients had either diagnostic computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or both. The colloid cysts appeared hyperdense on CT in five patients (83%) and isodense in one (six available studies). On MRI, all (five available studies) lesions were hyperintense on T2-weighted images. All seven patients had complete cyst resection. Either transcortical (five patients) or transcallosal approaches (two patients) was used in the surgical resection. There was no mortality. One patient developed a delayed cerebrospinal fluid leak related to hydrocephalus, and another patient developed a delayed postoperative seizure. The radiological findings supported the aggressive clinical scenario of these lesions in the pediatric group of patients.
Conclusion
In conclusion, colloid cysts can occur in children. They are associated with more aggressive clinical and radiological patterns. Early surgical intervention is highly recommended.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Buttner A, Winkler PA, Eisenmenger W, Weis S (1997) Colloid cysts of the third ventricle with fatal outcome: a report of two cases and review of the literature. Int J Legal Med 110:260–266
Camacho A, Abernathey CD, Kelly PJ, Laws ER Jr (1989) Colloid cysts: experience with the management of 84 cases since the introduction of computed tomography. Neurosurgery 24:693–700
Chan RC, Thompson GB (1983) Third ventricular colloid cysts presenting with acute neurological deterioration. Surg Neurol 19:358–362
Desai KI, Nadkarni TD, Muzumdar DP, Goel AH (2002) Surgical management of colloid cyst of the third ventricle—a study of 105 cases. Surg Neurol 57:295–302 (discussion 302–294)
El Khoury C, Brugieres P, Decq P, Cosson-Stanescu R, Combes C, Ricolfi F, Gaston A (2000) Colloid cysts of the third ventricle: are MR imaging patterns predictive of difficulty with percutaneous treatment? AJNR Am J Neuroradiol 21:489–492
Kelly R (1951) Colloid cysts of the third ventricle: analysis of twenty-nine cases. Brain 74:23–65
Kondziolka D, Lunsford LD (1991) Stereotactic management of colloid cysts: factors predicting success. J Neurosurg 75:45–51
Kuchelmeister K, Bergmann M (1992) Colloid cysts of the third ventricle: an immunohistochemical study. Histopathology 21:35–42
Macdonald RL, Humphreys RP, Rutka JT, Kestle JR (1994) Colloid cysts in children. Pediatr Neurosurg 20:169–177
Mathiesen T, Grane P, Lindgren L, Lindquist C (1997) Third ventricle colloid cysts: a consecutive 12-year series. J Neurosurg 86:5–12
Nitta M, Symon L (1985) Colloid cysts of the third ventricle. A review of 36 cases. Acta Neurochir (Wien) 76:99–104
Pollock BE, Huston J 3rd (1999) Natural history of asymptomatic colloid cysts of the third ventricle. J Neurosurg 91:364–369
Pollock BE, Schreiner SA, Huston J 3rd (2000) A theory on the natural history of colloid cysts of the third ventricle. Neurosurgery 46:1077–1081 (discussion 1081–1073)
Ryder JW, Kleinschmidt-DeMasters BK, Keller TS (1986) Sudden deterioration and death in patients with benign tumors of the third ventricle area. J Neurosurg 64:216–223
Young WB, Silberstein SD (1997) Paroxysmal headache caused by colloid cyst of the third ventricle: case report and review of the literature. Headache 37:15–20
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Alnaghmoosh, N., Alkhani, A. Colloid cysts in children, a clinical and radiological study. Childs Nerv Syst 22, 514–516 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00381-005-0017-z
Received:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00381-005-0017-z