Cystoventricular Drainage of Intracranial Arachnoid Cysts in Adults

BACKGROUND: Intracranial arachnoid cysts (ACs) are generally benign fluid-filled cysts with a prevalence of 0.5%-2.7%. They can be treated through craniotomy with cyst removal, endoscopic fenestration, or cystoperitoneal or ventriculoperitoneal shunting. However, the outcome of these treatments has not been completely satisfactory. Cystoventricular shunting was described as an alternative method for the treatment of intracranial ACs in children in 2003. In the present report, we have described the outcomes of cystoventricular shunting in adults with symptomatic intracranial ACs. METHODS: A total of 24 patients with symptomatic ACs underwent cystoventricular drainage from 2012 to 2019. The most common symptom preoperatively was headache, followed by dysphasia, motor weakness, memory loss, seizures, and balance disturbances. After radiological evaluation, a ventricular catheter was placed in the AC and another in one of the lateral ventricles and connected extracranially after subgaleal tunneling using a straight metal connector. RESULTS: At 3-6 months of postoperative follow-up, 21% of patients were asymptomatic and 42% showed improvement in clinical symptoms. No patient had experienced impairment or progression of symptoms postoperatively. Three patients had required revision of the catheters and one patient had developed a postoperative superficial skin infection without signs of deeper infection. CONCLUSIONS: Cystoventricular drainage seems to be an effective, reliable, and safe procedure to treat intracranial ACs when fenestration to the basal cisterns is not possible.

Automated summary

Cystoventricular drainage appears to be an effective and safe procedure for treating symptomatic intracranial ACs in adults, with 21% of patients becoming asymptomatic and 42% showing improvement in clinical symptoms at 3-6 months postoperatively. No patient experienced symptom progression or impairment after the procedure, highlighting its reliability.