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Arachnoid cysts DRAFT

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Overview

Arachnoic cysts are congenital or acquired cysts filled with CSF found in the brain or spine that are commonly incidental and asymptomatic. They are most commonly seen in the middle cranial fossa. Surgical intervention is rarely required and only required if the patient is symptomatic, i.e. seizures, weakness, hydrocephalus or cognitive impairment. When they are found in the spinal canal, they can cause signs and symptoms of myelopathy.

If there is uncertainty on CT imaging, an MRI is gold-standard for diagnosing an arachnoid cyst.

If the patient is asymptomatic from an arachnoid cyst, these can be referred routinely through for our review. It is likely no intervention or follow-up will be required.

If you are concerned your patient is symptomatic from a cranial arachnoid cyst please refer your patient urgently via the platform. We may either need to see them during the on-call or can re-direct you to the appropriate MDT.

If you are concerned your patient is symptomatic from a spinal arachnoid cyst, or an MRI report mentions associated cord signal change, please refer them to the neurospine MDT by emailing the required form to neurospinemdt@nbt.nhs.uk

Referral

Asymptomatic patients

If a patient is asymptomatic from an arachnoid cyst, they can be referred routinely via eRS to (?which clinic)

It is likely no intervention or follow-up will be required.

Symptomatic patients (cranial arachnoid cyst)

If a patient is symptomatic from a cranial arachnoid cyst, they should be referred urgently via Referapatient. Patients may be seen by the on-call team or re-directed to the appropriate MDT.

Symptomatic (spinal arachnoid cyst)

If a patient is symptomatic from a spinal arachnoid cyst, or an MRI report mentions associated cord signal change, please refer them to the neurospine MDT by emailing the required form (where can we find this form?) to: neurospinemdt@nbt.nhs.uk (concern about using email for referral has been raised but included for now until alternative)

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