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Surgical indications in pediatric arachnoid cysts

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Abstract

Introduction

Arachnoid cysts are developmental lesions consisting of CSF collections within the subarachnoid space. There are many theories and hypotheses about their pathogenesis and histopathology and this may also explain the diversities seen in clinical behaviors of these cysts, their natural history and consequently their management where there is a great controversy about selecting patients for surgical intervention. The most common location in pediatrics is the Sylvian or middle cranial fossa and this made it gain more concern and greater debate about its management where its diagnosis is often accidently or associated with nonspecific symptoms.

Aim

Our aim in this article was to review the main surgical indications for pediatric arachnoid cysts in the literature.

Conclusion

We concluded that the decision for surgical intervention for pediatric arachnoid cysts is not a simple one and highly debatable and should be taken cautiously especially with sylvian arachnoid cysts that may reach a large size without symptoms. However, there is a consensus that the occurrence of symptoms definitely correlated to the presence of these cysts or their rupture with consequent subdural hematoma or hygroma are indications for surgical intervention. Large cysts in locations compressing CSF pathways causing hydrocephalus are also candidates for surgical fenestration. The surgical gain from prophylactic surgery is questionable particularly when asymptomatic.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Children’s Cancer Hospital Egypt (CCHE, 57357), Cairo, Egypt

    Mohamed A. El Beltagy & Abd El Rhman Enayet

  2. Neurosurgery Department, Kasr Al-Ainy School of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt

    Mohamed A. El Beltagy & Abd El Rhman Enayet

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  1. Mohamed A. El Beltagy
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The main idea of the article was postulated by Mohamed El Beltagy, while literature search was performed by Abdelrhman Enayet. Both authors shared analysis of the data in the literature. The draft was written by Abdelrhman Enayet, and the manuscript was critically revised and reviewed by Mohamed El Beltagy.

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Correspondence to Mohamed A. El Beltagy.

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Beltagy, M.A.E., Enayet, A.E.R. Surgical indications in pediatric arachnoid cysts. Childs Nerv Syst 39, 87–92 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00381-022-05709-y

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