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Suprasellar arachnoid cyst due to ectopic choroid plexus: case report

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Abstract

Arachnoid cysts (ACs) are malformations that account for about 1% of all intracranial lesions. The aetiology and progression of these lesions have been debated, with one possible explanation being the production of cerebro-spinal fluid (CSF) by ectopic choroid plexus (CP). To our knowledge, only seven cases of ACs incorporating CP have been reported, and we believe this to be the first reported case of a suprasellar AC containing ectopic CP. A 1-year-old boy presented with developmental delay and macrocephaly. MRI scan revealed hydrocephalus due to a suprasellar AC. An endoscopic ventriculocisternostomy was undertaken. Intra-operatively, intra-cystic, pink frond-like tissue resembling choroid plexus was identified. Histologically, the cyst wall was composed of fibrous tissue, with layered arachnoid cells, while the frond-like tissue was composed of papillary structures in keeping with normal choroid plexus tissue. We postulate that the rest of the ectopic CP may have been trapped within the double layered arachnoid fold of the diencephalic leaf of Liliequist’s membrane which may drive the formation and development of certain suprasellar ACs.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurosurgery, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa

    Jason Labuschagne & Denis Mutyaba

  2. Department of Paediatric Neurosurgery, Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital, 6 Jubilee Rd, Parktown, Johannesburg, 2193, South Africa

    Jason Labuschagne & Denis Mutyaba

  3. Department of Radiology, Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital, Johannesburg, South Africa

    Tanyia Pillay

  4. Department of Radiology, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa

    Tanyia Pillay

  5. Division of Anatomical Pathology, National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg, South Africa

    Peter Swart

  6. Division of Anatomical Pathology, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa

    Peter Swart

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  1. Jason Labuschagne
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  2. Denis Mutyaba
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Correspondence to Jason Labuschagne.

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The Human Research Ethics Committee of the University of the Witwatersrand approved the presentation of the case report.

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Labuschagne, J., Mutyaba, D., Pillay, T. et al. Suprasellar arachnoid cyst due to ectopic choroid plexus: case report. Childs Nerv Syst 38, 1381–1384 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00381-021-05395-2

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