Skip to main content

Spontaneous Resolution of Arachnoid Cysts

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Arachnoid Cysts

Abstract

Arachnoid cysts (ACs) are benign but rare neurological lesions. Most of these lesions are noticed incidentally in a widespread patient population undergoing evaluation for headache, trauma, tumor of the brain and spine as well as for nonspecific symptoms. Patients who remain asymptomatic for a long time occasionally undergo spontaneous resolution of the cyst which is preceded by a mild impact to the head or following surgery for brain tumor. Many times, the rupture of AC resulted in the development of a subdural effusion or a subdural hematoma. The ACs of the cerebral convexity in the middle cranial fossa, suprasellar as well as prepontine regions have been reported to undergo spontaneous resolution. The amount of literature available to date is sparse and is available mostly in the form of case reports as well as case series.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 149.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book
USD 199.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Auer LM, Gallhofer B, Ladurner G, Sager WD, Heppner F, Lechner H. Diagnosis and treatment of middle fossa arachnoid cysts and subdural hematomas. J Neurosurg. 1981;54:366–9.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Azab WA, Almanabri M, Yosef W. Endoscopic treatment of middle fossa arachnoid cysts. Acta Neurochir (Wien). 2017;159:2313–31.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Bamber NI, Prabhu VC. Spontaneous resolution of a posterior fossa arachnoid cyst following a closed head injury: a case report. J Neurosurg Imaging Techniques. 2016;1:84–8.

    Google Scholar 

  4. Basaldella L, Orvieto E, Tos AP, Barbera MD, Valente M, Longatti P. Causes of arachnoid cyst development and expansion. Neurosurg Focus. 2007;2:E4.

    Google Scholar 

  5. Beltramello A, Mazza C. Spontaneous disappearance of a large middle fossa arachnoid cyst. Surg Neurol. 1985;24:181–3.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Bristol RE, Albuquerque FC, McDougall C, Spetzler RF. Arachnoid cysts: spontaneous resolution distinct from traumatic rupture. Neurosurg Focus. 2007;22:E2.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Chen Y, Fang HJ, Li ZF. Treatment of middle cranial fossa arachnoid cysts: a systematic review and meta-analysis. World Neurosurg. 2016;92:480–90.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Choi JW, Lee JY, Phi JH, Kim SK, Wang KC. Stricter indications are recommended for fenestration surgery in intracranial arachnoid cysts of children. Childs Nerv Sys. 2015;31:77–86.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Cinalli G, Cappabianca P, de Falco R. Current state and future development of intracranial neuroendoscopic surgery. Expert Rev Med Devices. 2005;2:351–73.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Cinalli G, Spennato P, Columbano L. Neuroendoscopic treatment of arachnoid cysts of the quadrigeminal cistern: a series of 14 cases. J Neurosurg Pediatr. 2010;6:489–97.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Cokluk C, Senel A, Celik F, Ergur H. Spontaneous disappearance of two asymptomatic arachnoid cysts in two different locations. Minim Invasive Neurosurg. 2003;46:110–2.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Dodd RL, Barnes PD, Huhn SL. Spontaneous resolution of a prepontine arachnoid cyst. Case report and review of the literature. Pediatr Neurosurg. 2002;37:152–7.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Dyck P, Gruskin P. Supratentorial arachnoid cysts in adults. Arch Neurol. 1977;34:276–9.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Fitzpatrick MO, Barlow P. Endoscopic treatment of prepontine arachnoid cysts. Br J Neurosurg. 2001;15:234–8.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Galassi E, Tognetti F, Gaist G, Fagioli L, Frank F, Frank G. CT scan and metrizamide CT cisternography in arachnoid cysts of the middle cranial fossa: classification and pathophysiological aspects. Surg Neurol. 1982;17:363–9.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Gui SB, Wang XS, Zong XY, Zhang YZ, Li CZ. Suprasellar cysts: clinical presentation, surgical indications, and optimal surgical treatment. BMC Neurol. 2011;11:5.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Inoue T, Matsushima T, Tashima S, Fukui M, Hasuo K. Spontaneous disappearance of a middle fossa arachnoid cyst associated with subdural hematoma. Surg Neurol. 1987;28:447–50.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Kato M, Nakada Y, Ariga N, Kokubo Y, Makino H. Prognosis of four cases of primary middle fossa arachnoid cyst in children. Childs Brain. 1980;7:195–204.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Liu Z, Li J, Xu J. Teaching neuroimages: spontaneous resolution of a giant intracranial arachnoid cyst. Neurology. 2016;86:199–200.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. McDonald PJ, Rutka JT. Middle cranial fossa arachnoid cysts that come and go. Report of two cases and review of the literature. Pediatr Neurosurg. 1997;26:48–52.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Mokri B, Houser OW, Dinapoli RP. Spontaneous resolution of arachnoid cysts. J Neuroimaging. 1994;4:165–8.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Moorthy S, Garg K, Aggarwal A, Kale SS, Sharma BS, Mahapatra AK. Spontaneous resolution of a spinal arachnoid cyst. Neurology India. 2017;65:1416–7.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Mori K, Yamamoto T, Horinaka N, Maeda M. Arachnoid cyst is a risk factor for chronic subdural hematoma in juveniles: twelve cases of chronic subdural hematoma associated with arachnoid cyst. J Neurotrauma. 2002;19:1017–27.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Mori T, Fujimoto M, Sakae K, Sakakibara T, Shin H, Yamaki T, et al. Disappearance of arachnoid cysts after head injury. Neurosurgery. 1995;36:938–42.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Pandey P, Tripathi M, Chandra PS, Sigh VP, Mehta VS. Spontaneous decompression of a posterior fossa arachnoid cyst: a case report. Pediatr Neurosurg. 2001;35:162–3.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Parsch CS, Krauss J, Hofmann E, Meixensberger J, Roosen K. Arachnoid cysts associated with subdural hematomas and hygromas: analysis of 16 cases, long-term follow up, and review of the literature. Neurosurgery. 1997;40:483–90.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. Prabhu VC, Bailes JE. Chronic subdural hematoma complicating arachnoid cyst secondary to soccer-related head injury: case report. Neurosurgery. 2002;50:195–7.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Pradilla G, Jallo G. Arachnoid cysts. Case series and review of the literature. Neurosurg Focus. 2007;22:E7.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. Przybylo HJ, Radkowski MA, Przybylo J, McLone D. Spontaneous resolution of an asymptomatic arachnoid cyst. Pediatr Neurosurg. 1997;26:312–4.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. Rakier A, Feinsod M. Gradual resolution of an arachnoid cyst after spontaneous rupture into the subdural space. Case Rep. 1995;83:1085–6.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. Robinson RG. The temporal lobe agenesis syndrome. Brain. 1964;87:87–106.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  32. Russo N, Domenicucci M, Rojas Beccaglla M, Santoro A. Spontaneous reduction of intracranial arachnoid cysts: a complete review. Br J Neurosurg. 2008;22:626–9.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  33. Schroeder HW, Gaab MR. Endoscopic observation of a slit-valve mechanism in a suprasellar prepontine arachnoid cyst: case report. Neurosurgery. 1997;40:198–200.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  34. Seizeur R, Forlodou P, Coustans M, Dam-Hein P. Spontaneous resolution of arachnoid cyst: review and features of an unusual case. Acta Neurochir (Wein). 2007;19:361–4.

    Google Scholar 

  35. Shida N, Nakasato N, Mizoi K, Kanaki M, Yoshimoto T. Symptomatic vessel narrowing caused by spontaneous rupture of craniopharyngioma cyst-case report. Neurol Med Chir (Tokyo). 1998;38:666–8.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  36. Sommer IE, Smit LM. Congenital supratentorial arachnoidal and giant cysts in children: a clinical study with arguments for a conservative approach. Childs Nerv Syst. 1997;13:8–12.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  37. Takagi K, Sasaki T, Basugi N. Spontaneous disappearance of cerebellopontine angle arachnoid cyst: report of a case (in Japanese). No Shinkei Geka. 1987;15:295–9.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  38. Takizawa H, Sugiura K, Kudo C, Kadoyama S. Spontaneous disappearance of a middle fossa arachnoid cyst—a case report. No To Shinkei. 1991;43:987–9.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  39. Tsuruda JS, Chew WM, Moseley ME, Norman D. Diffusion-weighted MR imaging of the brain: value of differentiating between extraaxial cysts and epidermoid tumors. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol. 1990;11:925–34.

    CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  40. Turgut M. Complete spontaneous resolution of an intra-axial cystic lesion in the cerebellum: a case report. Curr Pediatr Res. 2002;6:33–4.

    Google Scholar 

  41. Weber R, Voit T, Lumenta C, Lenard HG. Spontaneous regression of a temporal arachnoid cyst. Childs Nerv Syst. 1991;7:414–5.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  42. Wester K, Gilhus NE, Hugdahl K, Larsen JL. Spontaneous disappearance of an arachnoid cyst in the middle intracranial fossa. Neurology. 1991;41:1524–6.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  43. Yamanouchi Y, Someda K, Oka N. Spontaneous disappearance of middle fossa arachnoid cyst after head injury. Childs Nerv Syst. 1986;2:40–3.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  44. Yamauchi T, Saeki N, Yamaura A. Spontaneous disappearance of temporo-frontal arachnoid cyst in a child. Acta Neurochir (Wien). 1999;141:537–40.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  45. Yoshioka H, Kurisu K, Arita K, Eguchi K, Tominaga A, Mizoguchi N, et al. Spontaneous disappearance of a middle cranial fossa arachnoid cyst after suppurative meningitis. Surg Neurol. 1998;50:487–91.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2023 The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Maurya, V.P. et al. (2023). Spontaneous Resolution of Arachnoid Cysts. In: Turgut, M., Akhaddar, A., Turgut, A.T., Hall, W.A. (eds) Arachnoid Cysts. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-22701-1_13

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-22701-1_13

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-031-22700-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-031-22701-1

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics