Abstract
This report discusses the relationship between arachnoid cysts (ACs) and cognitive
deficits, and we ask if cognitive impairments could justify neurosurgical treatment.
In clinical practice, only AC patients with symptoms of intracranial hypertension
or focal neurological deficits are referred to surgery. Occasionally, one might assume
that nonspecific problems such as impairment of learning, speech, or cognitive functions
are caused by an AC and can be improved by surgery. We describe three patients, in
which surgery was indicated on the basis of clinical symptoms such as headaches and
the size of the cysts. A neuropsychological examination before AC surgery revealed
reduced cognitive potential, and the same examination repeated after surgery showed
improvement. We have not found any other reason for this change, except for the decompression
of the AC.
Keywords
arachnoid cyst - cyst fenestration - cognitive impairment
