Neuroendoscopic management of suprasellar arachnoid cysts.

Background: The first case of an intracranial arachnoid cyst was described by Bright in 1831. In 1935, Barlow published the first case of a suprasellar arachnoid cyst. Fewer than 200 cases of suprasellar-prepontine arachnoid cysts have been reported in the literature as of January 2011.

Methods: Between 1994 and 2010, the senior author operated on 34 cases of suprasellar-prepontine arachnoid cysts. Eighteen female and 16 male patients ranged in age from 6 days to 16 years (mean 5.2 years). Follow-up of the patients ranged from 1 year to 16 years.

Results: Outcome may be evaluated according to radiological and clinical follow-up data. Postoperative radiological examinations must reveal: 1) the adequacy of fenestrations and flow through fenestration sites, 2) reduction of the cyst and ventricle size, and 3) reorientation of the chiasma and mammillary bodies to an acceptable anatomical position. In our series, no mortality occurred. Postoperative complication occurred in 3 cases.

Conclusions: Suprasellar arachnoid cysts can be treated with favorable clinical and radiological results with endoscopic interventions when feasible. Results with ventriculocystocisternostomy are believed superior to those of ventriculocystostomy.