Abstract
Arachnoid cysts are congenital cerebrospinal fluid-filled lesions probably arising from anomalous splitting of the arachnoid during prenatal development [16]. In some cysts, a valve mechanism seems to play a major role in cyst enlargement [12, 13]. During life, these cysts may expand and cause symptoms by compressing the neighbouring brain structures or causing occlusive hydrocephalus. Therefore, they usually become symptomatic with signs of increased intracranial pressure. Furthermore, depending on their location, arachnoid cysts may cause seizures, hemisyndromes, increased head growth, ocular symptoms, cerebellar symptoms, endocrinological abnormalities, etc. Arachnoid cysts can be found anywhere in the brain, but are predominantly located in the Sylvian fissure [7]. With the increasing use of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, arachnoid cysts are frequently discovered as an incidental finding. True congenital arachnoid cysts should be distinguished from acquired cysts which may occur after trauma, bleeding, or infection.
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Schroeder, H.W.S. (2009). Arachnoid Cysts. In: Sindou, M. (eds) Practical Handbook of Neurosurgery. Springer, Vienna. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-211-84820-3_28
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-211-84820-3_28
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