How to Treat Arachnoid Cysts

Arachnoid cysts occur on the cerebrospinal axis, usually near the lateral sulcus and they are also commonly in the spinal canal. They are usually benign and congenital in origin but some may arise as a result of tumors or surgery. The walls of arachnoid cysts are lined with arachnoid matter and are formed when an arachnoid membrane splits. The following steps will show how to treat arachnoid cysts.

Instructions

• 1

  Consider the treatment of asymptomatic arachnoid cysts to be controversial. Some surgeons believe these cysts should always be surgically decompressed while others do not advocate any treatment if the cyst is small and not disturbing surrounding tissue.

• 2

  Perform a traditional shunting procedure. The increased intracranial pressure caused by the arachnoid cyst is relieved by implanting a shunt in the cyst. This drains the cerebralspinal fluid into the ventricles of the brain or peritoneum. This procedure has a high rate of recurrence, however.

• 3

  Use microsurgical techniques and endoscopic tools to perform an endoscopic fenestration of the arachnoid cyst into the subarachnoidal space. This procedure is minimally invasive.

• 4

  Excise the outer membrane and open the arachnoid cyst using cystoperitoneal or pleural shunting. A ventriculoperitoneal shunt also should be considered for children with hydrocephalus.

• 5

  Expect recovery from either surgery to be rapid once the excess fluid is redirected. Pediatric patients will wear a protective helmet during the recovery phase and have their developmental milestones carefully monitored. A cavity may remain after the surgery; this is not a failure of the treatment.