Benign extracerebral fluid collection in infancy as a risk factor for the development of de novo intracranial arachnoid cysts

Evaluation of surgical treatment strategies and outcome for cerebral arachnoid cysts in children and adults

OBJECTIVE

The best treatment strategies for cerebral arachnoid cysts (CAC) are still up for debate. In this study, we present CAC management, outcome data, and risk factors for recurrence after surgical treatment, focusing on microscopic/endoscopic approaches as compared to minimally invasive stereotactic procedures in children and adults.

METHODS

In our single-institution retrospective database, we identified all patients treated surgically for newly diagnosed CAC between 2000 and 2022. Microscopic/endoscopic surgery (ME) aimed for safe cyst wall fenestration. Stereotactic implantation of an internal shunt catheter (STX) to drain CAC into the ventricles and/or cisterns was used as an alternative procedure in patients aged ≥ 3 years. Treatment decisions in favor of ME vs. STX were made by interdisciplinary consensus. The primary study endpoint was time to CAC recurrence (TTR). Secondary endpoints were outcome metrics including clinical symptoms and MR-morphological analyses. Data analysis included subdivision of the total cohort into three distinct age groups (AG1, < 6 years; AG2, 6-18 years; AG3, ≥ 18 years).

RESULTS

Sixty-two patients (median age 26.5 years, range 0-82 years) were analyzed. AG1 included 15, AG2 10, and AG3 37 patients, respectively. The main presenting symptoms were headache and vertigo. In AG1 hygromas, an increase in head circumference and thinning of cranial calvaria were most frequent. Thirty-five patients underwent ME and 27 STX, respectively; frequency did not differ between AGs. There were two (22.2%) periprocedural venous complications in infants (4- and 10-month-old) during an attempt at prepontine fenestration of a complex CAC, one with fatal outcome in a 10-month-old boy. Other complications included postoperative bleeding (2, 22.2%), CSF leaks (4, 44.4%), and meningitis (1, 11.1%). Overall, clinical improvement and significant volume reduction (p = 0.008) were seen in all other patients; this did not differ between AGs. Median follow-up for all patients was 25.4 months (range, 3.1-87.1 months). Recurrent cysts were seen in 16.1%, independent of surgical procedure used (p = 0.7). In cases of recurrence, TTR was 7.9 ± 12.7 months. Preoperative ventricular expansion (p = 0.03), paresis (p = 0.008), and age under 6 years (p = 0.03) were significant risk factors for CAC recurrence in multivariate analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients suffering from CAC, both ME and STX can improve clinical symptoms at low procedural risk, with equal extent of CAC volume reduction. However, in infants and young children, CAC are more often associated with severe clinical symptoms, stereotactic procedures have limited use, and microsurgery in the posterior fossa may bear the risk of severe venous bleeding.

Shaken baby syndrome: what certainty do we have?

BACKGROUND

Shaken baby syndrome is a common and devastating disease in infants. In spite of its frequency, many controversies persist, regarding the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management.

AIM OF THE STUDY

We reviewed several salient and challenging issues related to SBS, like its pathogenesis, predisposing factors, differential diagnosis, and prevention programs.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We derive arguments from the literature and from our prospective registry of accidental and non-accidental traumas in infants.

CONCLUSIONS

Much remains to be understood in SBS, and prevention programs for this entirely man-made disaster are still in their infancy. Pediatric neurosurgeons should be involved actively in the medical management and research on SBS.

Comparison of clinical and radiological manifestations and surgical outcomes of pediatric Chiari I malformations in different age groups

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to elucidate the differences in clinical and radiological manifestations and treatment outcomes of pediatric Chiari I malformation patients according to age.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the patients who received surgery in our institution for symptomatic Chiari I malformations between January 1991 and December 2012. Fifty-four patients were identified, and their medical records were reviewed for clinical presentation, radiological findings, surgical treatment, and outcomes including complications. We divided the patients into 3 groups: Group I (n = 4) younger than 3 years old; Group II (n = 9) between 3 and 5 years old; and Group III (n = 41) older than 5 years old. Surveyed data were compared among the groups. The mean follow-up period was 82.8 months.

RESULTS

All of Group I patients presented with stem compression signs. Ventriculomegaly was common (3/4, 75%), but no syrinx or scoliosis was observed. In Group II, scoliosis was the most common presentation (5/9, 56%), and these patients rarely complained any other symptoms. Pain, such as headache (18/41, 44%), was the predominant presentation in Group III. The incidences of syrinx and scoliosis were similar in Groups II and III. There were no differences in the treatment outcomes among the groups. The spinal curve did not improve in 4 of 5 Group II patients despite their early FMD surgeries. The incidence of complications related to cerebrospinal fluid leakage was higher in the young age group.

CONCLUSIONS

The clinical and radiological manifestations of pediatric Chiari I malformation appeared to be different according to age.

Diverse arachnoid cyst morphology indicates different pathophysiological origins

BACKGROUND

There are few, limited, and to some extent contradictory, reports on the cellular and subcellular morphology of arachnoid cysts. In the literature cyst membranes are described as similar to, or as vastly different from, normal arachnoid membranes.

METHODS

This paper reports electron microscopic analyses of symptomatic cysts from 24 patients (12 males and 12 females; age 10-79), that underwent fenestration surgery. Fourteen cysts were located in the middle cranial fossa (temporal), one in the interpeduncular cistern, five in the posterior fossa, and four were overlying the frontal cortex.

RESULTS

Microscopic findings confirmed the diverse nature of this clinical condition. Twelve cyst walls resembled normal arachnoid, four had a conspicuous core of dense fibrous tissue with a simple epithelial lining, and the remaining aberrant cysts exhibited non-arachnoid luminal epithelia with plentiful microvilli and/or cilia, and also nervous tissue components in the wall. The possible identity and origin of various cyst types are discussed. We hypothesize that cysts are formed mostly at an early stage of embryonic development, as a teratological event.

CONCLUSIONS

Cysts with various epithelial linings and extracellular components most likely have different barrier properties and fluid turnover characteristics. Further studies are needed to elucidate relations between cyst morphology, fluid composition, pathogenesis, and clinical behaviour including growth rate and relapse tendency.