Arachnoid cyst of the brain is a formation that is located between the surface of the brain and the arachnoid (arachnoid) membrane. The cells of the cerebrospinal fluid cyst are formed due to the cells of the arachnoid membrane or cicatricial collagen.
These formations are divided into congenital, primary, and secondary, which occur after surgery, previous meningitis, with Marfan syndrome and corpus callosum.
How is arachnoid cyst of the brain treated
Most of these formations do not require treatment, since they do not provoke compression or displacement of brain structures. Surgical intervention is required only if the cyst ruptures. This can lead to the formation of a subdural hydroma, which causes dislocation changes in the structure of the brain. Such changes can cause various convulsive seizures and epilepsy attacks.
To date, various types of surgical intervention are used. Indications for this type of treatment are: the presence, as well as the progression of convulsive attacks, the development of focal symptoms and other similar conditions. The arachnoid cyst of the brain is removed through an endoscopic operation. Its main advantage is a small proportion of injuries, the absence of complications after surgery associated with various foreign bodies. The entire operation is carried out under compulsory visual control. If there are certain contraindications to endoscopic intervention, microneurosurgical or bypass surgery is performed. As a rule, after appropriate procedures, the result of treatment is satisfactory. This allows the patient to return to their previous normal lives.
Arachnoid, retrocerebellar cysts are formations slightly different from each other. Unlike the first, the retrocerebellar cyst is formed only in the thickness of the brain substance. Such a cyst is an accumulation of fluid in the region of a deceased area of the brain. Fluid fills the volume of lost brain matter. In order to prevent the subsequent destruction of the brain, it is necessary to identify the causes of the death of a certain area. Basically, such a cyst is formed due to a stroke, cerebrovascular insufficiency, surgical intervention in the cranial cavity, trauma, inflammatory process and so on.
Arachnoid cyst of the spine quite often simulates a hernia of the intervertebral disc. As a rule, it is detected by chance in the process of diagnosis for any diseases of the spine. Basically, this congenital pathology does not require specialized intervention. Only in case of detection of scoliosis or kyphoscoliosis, as well as the accompanying complications, is special treatment required. The corresponding algorithm of procedures and the length of the course of treatment for each particular case is established individually.
Arachnoid cyst of the brain is more often observed in men. Symptoms of the disease either do not reveal themselves, or appear at the age of twenty years. At the same time, the size and localization of the cysts determines the severity and nature of the symptoms, thereby complicating the diagnosis. Quite often, headaches, nausea and vomiting, ataxia and hemiparesis, hallucinations, convulsive syndrome, mental disorders and others are observed.
Arachnoid cysts of a different nature are detected in four percent of the population. Symptoms are observed in twenty percent of cases, which is often associated with the manifestation of secondary hydrocephalus.