Language Impairment Associated With Arachnoid Cysts: Recovery After Surgical Treatment

Case Report

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Authors
Nicole Laporte BSca, Anne De Volder MD, PhDa, Christine Bonnier MD, PhDa, Christian Raftopoulos MD, PhDb, Guillaume Sébire MD, PhDc, Corresponding Author Contact Information, E-mail The Corresponding Author

a Service de Neuropédiatrie, Cliniques Universitaires Saint Luc, Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
b Service de Neurochirurgie, Cliniques Universitaires Saint Luc, Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
c Service de Neurologie Pédiatrique, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Sherbrooke, Faculté de Médecine, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada

Available online 22 December 2011.
Abstract

Supporting data from the literature, we observe that large arachnoid cysts may affect cognitive function.

Neuropsychologic assessment plus magnetic resonance imaging allowed for documentation of associations between left temporal arachnoid cysts, language impairment, and other cognitive dysfunctions.

Significant cognitive improvements were evident soon after cysto-peritoneal shunting.

These observations reinforce the rationale for neuropsychologic assessments of patients with developmental delay and arachnoid cysts, and support the potential benefit of surgical decompression for arachnoid cysts associated with neurologic deficits, even if surgery is performed well after the occurrence of neurologic deficits.

Corresponding Author Contact InformationCommunications should be addressed to: Dr. Sébire; Service de Neurologie Pédiatrique; Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Sherbrooke; Faculté de Médecine; Université de Sherbrooke; 3001 12ème Avenue Nord; Sherbrooke, Quebec J1H5N4, Canada.

FUENTE: Pediatric Neurology
Volume 46, Issue 1, January 2012, Pages 44-47
doi:10.1016/j.pediatrneurol.2011.10.001