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Minim Invasive Neurosurg 1995; 38(4): 133-137
DOI: 10.1055/s-2008-1053473
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

The Natural History of Arachnoid Cysts: Endoscopic and Cine-Mode MRI Evidence of a Slit-Valve Mechanism

D. Santamarta, J. Aguas, E. Ferrer
  • Department of Neurosurgery, Hospital Clinic i Provincial Barcelona, Spain
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Publication History

Publication Date:
18 March 2008 (online)

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Abstract

Arachnoid cysts are space-occupying lesions filled with CSF-like content and surrounded by a membrane resembling arachnoid matter. They are regarded as a developmental abnormality of the arachnoid, originating from a splitting or duplication of this membrane. However, precise etiology and natural history remain controversial. Different hypo-theses have been developed including agenesis of brain structures, arachnoiditis, active fluid secretion, and pulsatile pump. We present a review of the literature concerning these items and report one case of a suprasellar arachnoid cyst in which a slit-valve mechanism was observed by means of cine-mode MRI preoperatively and confirmed during the endoscopic Intervention.

Key words

Arachnoid cyst - Endoscopy - Magnetic resonance imaging - Physiopathology

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