Spontaneous Intracystic Haemorrhage of an Arachnoid Cyst Associated with a Subacute Subdural Haematoma: A Case Report and Literature Review

Abstract

Arachnoid cysts (ACs) are congenital malformations that may develop anywhere in the subarachnoid space along the cerebrospinal axis, but are mostly observed in the temporal fossa and Sylvian fissure, predominantly on the left side. ACs account for 1% of all intracranial space-occupying lesions. ACs are potential risk factors for subdural haematoma in all age groups following a traumatic head injury. Although an intracystic haemorrhage of AC without evidence of a head trauma is very rare, it may particularly develop in children and young adults who spend much more time engaged in games and forced physical exercises. Here we present a rare case of spontaneous intracystic haemorrhage of AC with a subacute subdural haematoma and provide a review of the literature.