Analysis of Treatment Result of Arachnoid Cyst

뇌지주막 낭종의 치료결과 분석

Objective : The present study was performed to analyze treatment results for 22 cases of arachnoid cyst and to have appropriate surgical method in our department. Material and Methods : We performed a retrospective study in 22 cases in 11 years between 1989 to 2000 that could be followed up. The analysis was based on the results of patients age, sex distribution, developed area, clinical symptom, treatment method, and complication. Results : The age range of cyst development was between 7 months to 60 years with the average age of 21 years. As for sex distribution, 20 were male and 2 were female, with significantly more cyst development in males than females. Thirteen cases were developed in the sylvian fissure, 3 cases in the posterior fossa, 4 cases in the cerebral convexity of the supratentorial area, 1 case in the suprasella and 1 case in interhemiphere. Those cases with the sylvian fissure involvement included 6 cases of Type I, 4 cases of Type II, and 3 cases of Type III. As for the distribution according to hemisphere, more arachnoidal cysts were seen in the right hemisphere. The most common clinical symptom was headache, followed by seizure and speech disturbance. As for the treatment method in 22 cases, surgery was performed in 17 cases and conservative treatment in 5 cases. Fenestration was performed in 14 cases. 13 cases of them showed good outcome, and 1 case with delayed development showed no improvement. Cyst-peritoneal shunt was done in 2 cases. Both fenestration and cyst-peritoneal shunt were done in 1 case. Conclusion : Patients who perforemed fenestration were showed good outcome with few complication. We concluded that fenestration is the most appropriate surgical method for arachnoid cyst.