Complete resolution of medically refractory temporal lobe epilepsy after arachnoid cyst fenestration

Acta Clin Croat. 2011 Dec;50(4):589-93.

Abstract

Intracranial arachnoid cysts are congenital lesions that are frequently detected incidentally. About 30% of patients have a symptomatic epileptic seizure as the presenting symptom, occasionally with other focal neurologic signs. A case is presented of a young male patient with medically refractory temporal lobe epilepsy. Following his neurological examination, epileptic zone was defined in the right temporal lobe that correlated with the MRI-detected sylvian arachnoid cyst. Microneurosurgical cyst fenestration with volume reduction was performed, which resulted in a decremental but eventually complete seizure freedom. In conclusion, the arachnoid microsurgical cyst reduction is a safe procedure and may result in complete remission of symptomatic epileptic seizures and favorable outcomes, as reported in other studies.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Arachnoid Cysts / complications
  • Arachnoid Cysts / diagnosis
  • Arachnoid Cysts / surgery*
  • Epilepsy, Temporal Lobe / etiology*
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Young Adult