Otolaryngologic manifestations of posterior fossa arachnoid cysts. 1985

M N Hadley, and T W Grahm, and C P Daspit, and R F Spetzler

Posterior fossa arachnoid cysts are more common than previously reported. While they may present with symptoms of hearing loss, vertigo, and tinnitus, often they are associated with vague, nonspecific complaints such as headache, dizziness, or generalized unsteadiness. We present five cases of posterior fossa arachnoid cysts discovered in adult patients. Four of the five patients had nonlocalizing symptoms (three of those sought medical evaluations for persistent dizziness and/or headache). Two patients had prolonged symptoms despite medical evaluation and normal audiometric testing before the correct diagnosis was made. We describe the case of our senior author (C.P.D.) in detail and include computerized tomographic and nuclear magnetic resonance studies outlining his pathology. A review of the management of these lesions is included. Dizzy patients and those patients with nonspecific complaints referable to the inner ear or posterior fossa who have normal audiometric testing, and in whom the index of suspicion is high, should have high resolution computerized tomography of the posterior fossa.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008297 Male Males
D008875 Middle Aged An adult aged 45 - 64 years. Middle Age
D003388 Cranial Fossa, Posterior The infratentorial compartment that contains the CEREBELLUM and BRAIN STEM. It is formed by the posterior third of the superior surface of the body of the sphenoid (SPHENOID BONE), by the occipital, the petrous, and mastoid portions of the TEMPORAL BONE, and the posterior inferior angle of the PARIETAL BONE. Clivus,Cranial Fossas, Posterior,Fossa, Posterior Cranial,Fossas, Posterior Cranial,Posterior Cranial Fossa,Posterior Cranial Fossas
D003560 Cysts Any fluid-filled closed cavity or sac that is lined by an EPITHELIUM. Cysts can be of normal, abnormal, non-neoplastic, or neoplastic tissues. Cyst
D004244 Dizziness An imprecise term which may refer to a sense of spatial disorientation, motion of the environment, or lightheadedness. Lightheadedness,Orthostasis,Dizzyness,Light-Headedness,Light Headedness
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000328 Adult A person having attained full growth or maturity. Adults are of 19 through 44 years of age. For a person between 19 and 24 years of age, YOUNG ADULT is available. Adults
D000368 Aged A person 65 years of age or older. For a person older than 79 years, AGED, 80 AND OVER is available. Elderly
D001099 Arachnoid A delicate membrane enveloping the brain and spinal cord. It lies between the PIA MATER and the DURA MATER. It is separated from the pia mater by the subarachnoid cavity which is filled with CEREBROSPINAL FLUID. Arachnoid Mater,Arachnoid Maters,Arachnoids
D001259 Ataxia Impairment of the ability to perform smoothly coordinated voluntary movements. This condition may affect the limbs, trunk, eyes, pharynx, larynx, and other structures. Ataxia may result from impaired sensory or motor function. Sensory ataxia may result from posterior column injury or PERIPHERAL NERVE DISEASES. Motor ataxia may be associated with CEREBELLAR DISEASES; CEREBRAL CORTEX diseases; THALAMIC DISEASES; BASAL GANGLIA DISEASES; injury to the RED NUCLEUS; and other conditions. Coordination Impairment,Dyssynergia,Incoordination,Ataxia, Appendicular,Ataxia, Limb,Ataxia, Motor,Ataxia, Sensory,Ataxia, Truncal,Ataxy,Dyscoordination,Lack of Coordination,Tremor, Rubral,Appendicular Ataxia,Appendicular Ataxias,Ataxias,Ataxias, Appendicular,Ataxias, Limb,Ataxias, Motor,Ataxias, Sensory,Ataxias, Truncal,Coordination Impairments,Coordination Lack,Impairment, Coordination,Impairments, Coordination,Incoordinations,Limb Ataxia,Limb Ataxias,Motor Ataxia,Motor Ataxias,Rubral Tremor,Rubral Tremors,Sensory Ataxia,Sensory Ataxias,Tremors, Rubral,Truncal Ataxia,Truncal Ataxias

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