title: Suprasellar arachnoid cysts: management by cyst wall resection.
abstract: Five children with ventricular dilatation (4 boys, 1 girl) had features seen on computer tomographic scan that were consistent with suprasellar arachnoid cysts. All children were investigated with a CT ventriculogram and/or CT cisternogram, and no communication with the cyst was demonstrated. Three children were seen in the 1st year of life and the remaining 2 children were between 1 and 5 years of age. Hydrocephalus and developmental delay were the most common presenting features, followed by visual disturbance, squint, or ataxia. Direct surgical decompression was performed in all 5 patients to avoid long-term placement of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt. A temporary shunt was placed in 2 children because of high intracranial pressure. Direct partial excision of the cyst wall to allow long-term drainage into the basal cisterns or ventricular system was successful in all children. The presence of subdural collections postoperatively required temporary shunting in 2 children. After follow-up for between 10 and 22 months no clinical endocrinological sequelae have been detected, but 2 children have raised serum prolactin levels. Three children are developmentally delayed; one of these has regained some skills since surgery. Direct surgical decompression of suprasellar arachnoid cysts to avoid long-term shunt placement is the preferred method of surgical treatment for this condition.
authors: Department of Neurology, Prince of Wales Children's Hospital, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia.
authors: R F
authors: RF
authors: Jones
authors: T H
authors: TH
authors: Warnock
authors: V
authors: V
authors: Nayanar
authors: J M
authors: JM
authors: Gupta
mesh_terms: D001099:Arachnoid / Q000473:pathology*; D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003560:Cysts / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed