OBJECTIVE: To explore the pathogenetic mechanism of cystic meningioma and the key to its diagnosis and operation. METHODS: Clinical data of 8 patients with cystic meningioma were analyzed retrospectively. The occuring position and cure rate of cystic meningioma were compared with those of solid meningioma in the corresponding period. RESULTS: All patients were subjected to total resection of tumor parenchyma and cystic wall. No operative death and severe complications occurred. The incidence of uppertentorial region of cystic meningioma was higher than that of solid meningioma, and the difference was significant (χ(2)=2.618, P<0.05). The cure rate was not significantly different between cystic meningioma and solid meningioma (χ(2)=0.010, P>0.05). CONCLUSION Removing tumor totally is the key to preventing its recurrence.
Adult ; Aged ; Arachnoid Cysts ; complications ; diagnosis ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Meningeal Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; surgery ; Meningioma ; classification ; complications ; diagnosis ; surgery ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies

Recently, endoscopic procedures have been recommended as the first surgical option for cerebral arachnoid cyst (AC). The author reports seven ACs treated endoscopically and discuss the role of endoscopic fenestration. The age of the patients ranged from two to 62 years. Three ACs were located in the posterior cranial fossa, two in the suprasellar area, one in the middle cranial fossa, and one in the convexity. All cases were examined by cine magnetic resonance (MR) flow study. The patient's symptoms included headache, vomiting, dizziness, problems in balance, visual disturbance, and seizure. The author performed a cysto-cisternostomy or cysto-ventriculostomy via a single burr hole. The follow-up periods ranged from six to 18 months. There was no mortality or morbidity except one case of intracisternal bleeding during endoscopic procedure. Symptoms were relieved in all seven patients. Follow-up imaging studies revealed a decrease in the size or disappearance of the cysts. The results support that the minimal fenestration procedure as possibly as preserving the internal environment is valuable for the management of ACs.
Adolescence ; Adult ; Anesthesia, General ; Arachnoid Cysts/surgery* ; Arachnoid Cysts/diagnosis ; Child, Preschool ; Endoscopy/methods* ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Human ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Age ; Prospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome

Oculomotor cistern is normal anatomic structure that is like an arachnoid-lined cerebrospinal fluid-filled sleeve, containing oculomotor nerve. We report a case of arachnoid cyst in oculomotor cistern, manifesting as oculomotor nerve palsy. The oblique sagittal MRI, parallel to the oculomotor nerve, showed well-defined and enlarged subarachnoid spaces along the course of oculomotor nerve. Simple fenestration was done with immediate regression of symptom. When a disease develops in oculomotor cistern, precise evaluation with proper MRI sequence should be performed to rule out tumorous condition and prevent injury of the oculomotor nerve.
Adult ; Arachnoid Cysts/*diagnosis/surgery ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Neurosurgical Procedures ; Oculomotor Nerve/*pathology ; Oculomotor Nerve Diseases/*diagnosis/surgery