Arachnoid cyst of the craniocervical junction: case report.

Abstract

An arachnoid cyst at the craniocervical junction presenting with obstructive hydrocephalus as a result of blockage of the outflow of the fourth ventricle is described. This is a very rare anatomic site, with only five other cases described in the literature. A 37-year-old woman presented with a 9-month history of severe neck pain, persistent vomiting, visual disturbances, and numbness of the nose, cheek, and lips. She had severe bilateral papilledema on ophthalmoscopy. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a midline cystic lesion extending down to C2. The patient underwent posterior fossa craniectomy and excision of the arachnoid cyst. She made a full recovery and was asymptomatic at follow-up examination. The symptomatology of these rare craniocervical arachnoid cysts and their development are discussed.