hi i have a 19 months old baby and he has a ct scan and that shows that he had an arachnoid cyst in left middle cranial fossa my questions are ... it could be genetic ? how dangerous its for my baby ? it will be come a brain cancer or what d i need to do / he doesnt show any symptoms no fever no seizures the only symptoms that could have is his head is big ..
Hi thanks for asking question. Usually arachnoid cyst doesn't show any sign and symptoms as in your case. This cyst can be congenital, or it is secondary to trauma and infection. But its genetic etiology not well established. This cyst is having purely benign nature. But with the time it can cause symptoms due to compression by increasing size. There is lots of controversy regarding treatment. But usually if cyst small and no symptoms and then treated conservatively with routine clinical and radiological follow up. But it is large space occupying cyst and symptomatic then it has to be removed to prevent developmental delay and seizure like symptoms. The surgical modality include open craniectomy with marsupilization, stereotactic cyst aspiration, ventriculocystostomy. Today laparoscopic cyst removal gaining more popularity as it lead to better exposure, less trauma and short hospital stay. I hope I have solved your query well. Thanks for contacting Chat Doctor