Spontaneous subdural and intracavitary hemorrhage of temporal arachnoid cyst in an adult patient

Abstract

Background: Arachnoid Cysts are benign lesions which have congenital origin. They are extra-axial collections of cerebrospinal fluid and counts for 1% of all non-traumatic intracranial lesions. Generally asymptomatic, they are an incidental finding in adult patients.Intracavitary spontaneous hemorrhages are rare events with few reports in Literature. We present a case with this atypically presentation which is present in an adult patient that represents an atypical situation as present in literature review. Case description: A 44-year old man presented a history of progressive headache with dizziness and vomiting without history of head trauma. Radiologic Images were compatible with subdural and intracystic hemorrhage.Surgery was done to treat the patient. After draining the subdural collection, was noted an intracavitary hemorrhage from the arachnoid cyst that was opened and a hemorrhagic fluid was drained. Patient was discharged asymptomatic and without neurological deficit. Conclusion: Spontaneous intracystic hemorrhage is an uncommon complication of arachnoid cysts and may exist serious neurological impairment related to this event. Only 16 cases (with our case) were reported in adults’ patients. The majority of the authors use the surgery as principal treatment; nonetheless the best surgical strategy is still unclear.

Keywords

• Arachnoid Cysts
• Subdural Hematoma
• Intracystic Hemorrhage
• Headache