Arachnoid Cysts: Epidemiology, Biology, and Neuroimaging

Intracranial arachnoid cysts are congenital malformations with a predilection for the middle cranial fossa and an estimated prevalence in the general population as high as 1.7%. The common assumption is that these cysts are incidental findings and the symptoms associated with them are not caused by the cyst and consequently, that surgical intervention will not benefit the patient. However, there is now a growing understanding reflected in the international literature among neurologists and neurosurgeons that arachnoid cysts do harm and that the patients’ complaints can be relieved by surgical treatment.

Arachnoid Cysts:  Epidemiology, Biology, and Neuroimaging gives a broad and updated presentation of the condition, including epidemiology, etiology, biology (including genetics and molecular biology), and neuroimaging of same. This book is written for researchers, residents, and clinical practitioners in clinical neuroscience, neurology, neurosurgery, neuroradiology, and pediatrics.

Gives a detailed account of all pathophysiological aspects of arachnoid cystsCovers epidemiology, etiology, biology, genetics and molecular biology and neuroimaging of arachnoid cystsDiscusses present controversies in cyst management in a historical perspectiveProvides information of use to researchers, residents, and clinical practitioners in clinical neuroscience, neurology, neurosurgery, neuroradiology, and pediatrics

1. Historical perspective and controversial aspects.

Biological aspects 2. Arachnoid cysts - intracranial locations, gender, and sidedness 3. Molecular biology and genetics 4. Arachnoid cysts in glutaric aciduria type I (GA-I) 5. Ultrastructure of arachnoid cysts 6. Pathophysiology of intracranial arachnoid cysts: Hypoperfusion of adjacent cortex 7. Biochemistry – compostion of and possible mechanisms for production of arachnoid cyst fluid 8. The ‘Valve Mechanism’

Prevalence and natural history of arachnoid cysts 9. The prevalence of intracranial arachnoid cysts 10. Classification and location of arachnoid cysts 11. Growth and disappearance of arachnoid cysts 12. Arachnoid cysts and subdural and intracystic haematomas 13. Hydrocephalus associated with arachnoid cysts

Neuroimaging 14. Radiological work-up, CT, MRI 15. Arachnoid cyst. Prenatal detection, management and perinatal outcome 16. SPECT studies in patients with arachnoid cysts