title: Suprasellar arachnoid cysts: options in operative management.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Beilinson Medical Center, University of Tel Aviv, Petah Tikva, Israel.
authors.forename: Z H
authors.initials: ZH
authors.lastname: Rappaport
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016080:Arachnoid Cysts / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D002557:Cerebrospinal Fluid Shunts; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003397:Craniopharyngioma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D006849:Hydrocephalus / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007235:Infant, Premature, Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D010911:Pituitary Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D012086:Reoperation; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed