Extradural Arachnoid Cyst Excision

Arachnoid cysts are an uncommon postoperative complication and can result in back pain, radiculopathy, and/or cauda equina syndrome. For symptomatic postoperative arachnoid cysts, surgical management is the accepted treatment. While excision of arachnoid cysts is the preferred surgical method, cysts with adhesions to nerve roots and/or dura can be treated with cyst fenestration to reduce morbidity of excision. Surgeons should be prepared for dural defects after cyst excision, which can require dural grafting and lumbar drains for cerebrospinal fluid diversion.