Cystplastic cyst-subarachnoid shunt procedure for arachnoid cyst of the middle cranial fossa--technical note.

A cystplastic cyst-subarachnoid shunt procedure using a ventricular catheter of Denver type shunt system was performed in seven patients with non-communicating middle cranial fossa arachnoid cyst. The operation technique consists of: linear incision of the outer membrane of arachnoid cyst and intrusion into the cyst; followed by a 5 mm incision of both the inner membrane of the arachnoid cyst and the arachnoid membrane; insertion of a 2-3 cm length of the ventricular catheter, cut as required with silk thread bound around the midpoint of the tube, into the subarachnoid space; fixation of the tube to the arachnoid membrane by a silk thread with Weck clips; and finally suturing of the outer membrane of arachnoid cyst by a nylon thread. During the follow-up period of 3 months to 3 years after the operation, the symptoms were relieved in all patients, and no recurrence or complication was observed.