title: Radiologic manifestations of colloid cysts: a pictorial essay.
abstract: Colloid cysts are among rare benign tumours of the third ventricle. Although the most frequent symptoms are headache and syncope, arrest hydrocephalus or sudden death could appear with colloid cysts. The aim of this pictorial essay was to increase awareness of the clinical presentation, computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging spectrum, and treatment options of the colloid cysts. The data of 11 patients with histopathologically and/or clinically proven colloid cyst were analysed, retrospectively; and the neuroradiologic appearances of the cysts were evaluated. The CT and MR appearance of colloid cysts may change, depending on the viscosity or the cholesterol content of the cysts. However, the cystic content is the most important factor that could affect the success of treatment. Cysts that are especially rich in protein and cholesterol tend to be hyperdense on CT, hypointense on T2-weighted sequences and hyperintense on T1-weighted sequences. These cysts are viscous, and the success of aspiration is significantly low. In the diagnosis and evaluation of small-sized cysts that have an ingredient similar to cerebrospinal fluid, 3-dimensional sequences might be useful. The radiologic appearances of colloid cysts could play an important role in directing these patients to alternative surgical modalities, including resection.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Ataturk Training and Research Hospital, Bilkent, Ankara, Turkey. droktayalgin@gmail.com
authors.forename: Oktay
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Algin
authors.forename: Evrim
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ozmen
authors.forename: Halil
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Arslan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D056364:Colloid Cysts / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D020542:Third Ventricle / Q000473:pathology*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*