Intracranial arachnoid cyst are becoming a more frequent finding as a result of the increased use of cranial computed tomography. But the best treatment of arachnoid cysts remains the subject of controversy. We report 46 cases of patients with arachnoid cyst. Thirty nine cases(84.7%) had supratentorial locations. The cases of 22 patients with mild symptoms and small cysts were treated with conservative management only. Surgical treatment was performed on 24 patients with severe or uncontrolled symptoms and large sized cysts. Surgery consisted of craniotomy and cyst excision with communication to basal cistern. Surgical results and long-term outcomes were good. However there was a one operative death due to acute subdural hematoma. It is, therefore conclued that surgical excision of arachnoid cyst with communication to basal cistern is one of the more effective methods of alternative treatment. And further studies of the natural history of conservative cases should be undertaken for a futher understanding.
Arachnoid Cysts ; Arachnoid* ; Craniotomy ; Hematoma, Subdural, Acute ; Humans ; Natural History