title: Assessment of endoscopic treatment for middle cranial fossa arachnoid cysts.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Endoscopic cystocisternotomy is one of three surgical methods used to treat middle cranial fossa arachnoid cysts. There is debate about which method is the best.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of endoscopic cystocisternotomy for treatment of arachnoid cysts of the middle cranial fossa.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-two patients with arachnoid cysts of the middle cranial fossa who had undergone endoscopic cystocisternal fenestration between 2004 and 2009 were studied retrospectively. Data were obtained on clinical and neuroradiological presentation, indications to treat, surgical technique, complications, and the results of clinical and neuroradiological follow-up.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among the 27 patients with symptoms before surgery, 8 had disappearance of symptoms and 17 had improvement of symptoms. The cyst was reduced in size or it completely disappeared in 24 (75%) patients. The incidence rate of complications was 18.8%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Endoscopic cystocisternal fenestration is an effective treatment for symptomatic arachnoid cysts of the middle cranial fossa and should be the initial surgical procedure.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Song-bai
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Gui
authors.forename: Xin-sheng
authors.initials: XS
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Xu-yi
authors.initials: XY
authors.lastname: Zong
authors.forename: Chu-zhong
authors.initials: CZ
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Bo
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Ya-zhuo
authors.initials: YZ
authors.lastname: Zhang
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016080:Arachnoid Cysts / Q000601:surgery*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D035301:Cranial Fossa, Middle / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D044583:Neuroendoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult