Summary
Suprasellar arachnoid cysts are uncommon lesions the optimal management of which is still subject for debate. Various authors have presented differing treatment preferences which include: 1) Subfrontal fenestration of the cyst to the basal cisterns; 2) Transcallosal fenestration of the cyst into the lateral ventricles with optional shunting; 3) Cystoperitoneal shunt; 4) Percutaneous ventriculocystostomy. There is a significant incidence of re-operation whatever the initial approach.
Based on recent experience with 5 operative cases of suprasellar arachnoid cyst and a selective review of 6 major operative series covering 42 cases, the available surgical options are critically analyzed. Percutaneous ventriculostomy may offer the best chance for a definitive treatment. However the technique is demanding and is not readily available. Cystoperitoneal shunting entails shunt dependency and has a significant incidence of failure, as does cyst marsupialization to the subarachnoid cisterns. The establishment of a single CSF space by surgically communicating the cyst with the ventricular system appears to offer the best chance of success in the treatment of suprasellar arachnoid cysts, though a concomittant shunt may still be required in the occasional hydrocephalic patient.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Albright L (1981) Treatment of bobble-head doll syndrome by transcallosal cystectomy. Neurosurgery 8: 593–595
Benton JW, Nellhaus G, Huttenlocher PR,et al (1966) The bobble-head doll syndrome. Report of unique truncal tremor associated with third ventricular cyst and hydrocephalus in children. Neurology 16: 725–729
Binitie O, Williams B, Case CP (1984) A suprasellar arachnoid pouch; aetiological considerations. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 47: 1066–1074
Fox JL, Al-Mefty O (1980) Suprasellar arachnoid cyst: an extension of the membrane of Lilliequist. Neurosurgery 7: 615–618
Gentry CR, Menezes AH, Turksi PA, Smoker WRK, Cornell SH, Ramirez L (1986) Suprasellar arachnoid cyst. Part 2: evaluation of CSF dynamics. AJNR 7: 86–96
Giroud M, Sautreux JL, Thierry A, Dumas R (1988) Diencephalic epilepsy with congenital suprasellar arachnoid cyst in an infant. Childs Nerv Syst 4: 252–254
Go KG, Houthoff HJ, Blaouw EH,et al (1984) Arachnoid cyst of the Sylvian fissure. Evidence of fluid secretion. J Neurosurg 60: 803–810
Harsh GR, IV, Edwards MSB, Wilson CB (1986) Intracranial arachnoid cysts in children. J Neurosurg 64: 835–842
Hoffmann HJ, Hendrick EB, Humphreys RP, Armstrong EA (1982) Investigation and management of suprasellar arachnoid cysts. J Neurosurg 57: 597–602
Jones RF, Warnock TH, Nayanar V, Gupta JM (1989) Suprasellar arachnoid cysts: management by cyst wall resection. Neurosurgery 25: 554–561
Kasdon DL, Douglas EA, Brougham ME (1977) Suprasellar arachnoid cyst diagnosed preoperatively by computerized tomographic scanning. Surg Neurol 7: 299–303
Krawchenko J, Collins GH (1979) Pathology of an arachnoid cyst. J Neurosurg 50: 224–228
Murali R, Epstein F (1979) Diagnosis and treatment of suprasellar arachnoid cyst: report of three cases. J Neurosurg 50: 515–515
Palma L, Celli P (1983) Suprasellar epithelial cyst. J Neurosurg 58: 763–765
Pierre-Kahn A, Capelle L, Brauner R, Sainte-Rose C, Renier D, Rappaport R, Hirsch JF (1990) Presentation and management of suprasellar arachnoid cysts. Review of 20 cases. J Neurosurg 73: 355–359
Raffel C, McComb JG (1988) To shunt or to fenestrate: which is the best surgical treatment for arachnoid cysts in pediatric patients. Neurosurgery 23: 338–342
Raimondi AJ, Shimoji T, Guitierrez FA (1980) Suprasellar cysts: surgical treatment and results. Childs Brain 7: 57–72
Rengachary SS, Watanabe I, Brackett CE (1978) Pathogenesis of intracranial arachnoid cysts. Surg Neurol 9: 139–144
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Rappaport, Z.H. Suprasellar arachnoid cysts: Options in operative management. Acta neurochir 122, 71–75 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01446989
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01446989