Clinicoradiologic Risk Stratification and Outcome Assessment in Symptomatic Intracranial Arachnoid Cyst Managed Over Fifteen Years

BACKGROUND: Arachnoid cysts (ACs) are develop-mental anomalies formed by splitting the arachnoid mem-brane's layers. ACs contribute around 2% of all intracranial space-occupying lesions. ACs are more prevalent in children. Because of varied clinical presentation, there has been a constant need for clinicoradiologic risk stratifica-tion with a possible role in outcome prediction. The pre-sent study describes the management strategies and outcomes in symptomatic intracranial ACs.METHODS: All biopsy-proven symptomatic patients who -nderwent surgical management over last 15 years were included in this study (January 2008-December 2022), while those with non-conclusive biopsies were excluded. Patients presenting with acute deterioration were managed in the emergency department with or without cerebrospinal fluid diversion and decompression of the AC. The microsurgical or endoscopic approach was the preferred surgical modality. Postoperative clinicoradio-logic improvement was evaluated at 3 months follow-up visit.RESULTS: A total of 108 patients were analyzed in this retrospective observational study. The median age of the patients was 27.5 years (range, 1 to 76 years). Headache was the most typical clinical presentation. Supratentorial ACs (n = 59, 54.6%) were higher than the infratentorial ACs (n = 49, 45.4%). Forty-seven patients belonged to the pediatric age group (<18 years), and seizure was their presenting complaint. In this observational study, there was no statistical difference in operative duration between microsurgical technique versus endoscopic decompres-sion (P= 0.23).CONCLUSIONS: ACs are uncommon brain lesions having a broad spectrum of symptoms. The location and clinical presentation of ACs decide the preferred surgical approach. Individuals in high-risk groups must be treated on priority to achieve long-term relief of symptoms.

Automated summary

This retrospective observational study analyzed the management and outcomes of 108 patients with symptomatic intracranial arachnoid cysts. The study found no statistical difference in operative duration between different surgical techniques. Therefore, the location and clinical presentation of arachnoid cysts determine the preferred surgical approach. Individuals in high-risk groups should be treated on priority to achieve long-term symptom relief.