Arachnoid cysts with subdural hematoma or intracystic hemorrhage in children

Abstract

Arachnoid cyst (AC) is a common congenital intracranial lesion in children. It may be complicated by subdural hematoma (SDH) and intracystic hemorrhage (ICH) to cause intracranial hypertension after minor head injury or spontaneously. However, because most bleeding after trauma is delayed, it is often overlooked. At the same time, it remains controversial for treatment of ACs complicated with SDH and ICH. So far, it lacks review, especially for pediatric patients who have ACs with SDH or ICH. Here, we report 3 pediatric cases in our department from 2010 to 2011. At the same time, we review 41 pediatric patients reported in the last 20 years. We conclude that a child with AC should be regularly followed up after minor head injury, and that therapy for children with complicated ACs should be more aggressive than for adults. The cyst wall should be resected, and communication between cyst and cerebral cistern should be established.