[Giant retrosellar arachnoid cyst: a case report and literature review].

BACKGROUND

Arachnoid cysts are predominantly congenital pathologies associated with cleft of arachnoid membrane of spinal cord or brain. Arachnoid cysts present with cerebral, hypertensive-hydrocephalic and focal symptoms. Localization of intracranial arachnoid cysts can vary. Only 12% of symptomatic arachnoid cysts are localized in posterior cranial fossa.

OBJECTIVE

To present successful treatment of a patient with retrosellar arachnoid cyst, review available literature data and compare clinical course and treatment outcomes.

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

A 29-year-old female patient presented with long-term history of headache, dizziness, diplopia and statodynamic disturbances. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed giant retrosellar arachnoid cyst compressing the brainstem and causing hydrocephalus. The PubMed database was screened (2015-2025). Only full-text articles In Russian and English were included. References of these articles comprised secondary searching.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Endoscopic cystoventriculocisternostomy of arachnoid cyst in posterior fossa was performed. Postoperative period was uneventful. Neurological and ophthalmological status was the same. MRI revealed significant improvement including cyst shrinkage and regression of symptoms over a 3-month period. There were only 7 relevant reports.

CONCLUSION

Correct surgical approach is confirmed by cyst shrinkage after surgery and clinical follow-up data.