title: Management of subdural hygromas associated with arachnoid cysts.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Arachnoid cysts may occasionally be associated with subdural hygromas. The management of these concurrent findings is controversial.
  
  
  METHODS
  The authors reviewed their experience with arachnoid cysts and identified 8 patients with intracranial arachnoid cysts and an associated subdural hygroma. The medical records and images for these patients were also examined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In total, 8 patients presented with concurrent subdural hygroma and arachnoid cyst. Of these 8 patients, 6 presented with headaches and 4 had nausea and vomiting. Six patients had a history of trauma. One patient was treated surgically at the time of initial presentation, and 7 patients were managed without surgery. All patients experienced complete resolution of their presenting signs and symptoms.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Subdural hygroma may lead to symptomatic presentation for otherwise asymptomatic arachnoid cysts. The natural course of cyst-associated subdural hygromas, even when symptomatic, is generally benign, and symptom resolution can be expected in most cases. The authors suggest that symptomatic hygroma is not an absolute indication for surgical treatment and that expectant management can result in good outcomes in many cases.
authors.affiliation: Departments of Neurosurgery and.
authors.forename: Cormac O
authors.initials: CO
authors.lastname: Maher
authors.forename: Hugh J L
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Garton
authors.forename: Wajd N
authors.initials: WN
authors.lastname: Al-Holou
authors.forename: Jonathan D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Trobe
authors.forename: Karin M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Muraszko
authors.forename: Eric M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Jackson
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D016080:Arachnoid Cysts / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006261:Headache / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008499:Medical Records; D009325:Nausea / Q000209:etiology; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures / Q000592:standards* / Q000639:trends; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013353:Subdural Effusion / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014839:Vomiting / Q000209:etiology; D057832:Watchful Waiting