Unusual hydrocephalus from retrocerebellar arachnoid cyst sparing the fourth ventricle

Devyansh Nimodia, Sakshi Dudhe

PAMJ. 2025; 51:30. Published 04 Jun 2025 | doi:10.11604/pamj.2025.51.30.45626

A 17-year-old male presented to our medicine outpatient department with complaints of worsening headache, nausea and intermittent vomiting for the past two months. He had similar complaints in the past, which were relieved by taking. The patient was advised of a computed tomography scan of the brain, which revealed a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) density cystic lesion measuring approx.8.5 x 6.7 x 8.2 cm noted in the retro cerebellar region extending to the quadrigeminal cistern, causing moderate compression of bilateral cerebellar hemispheres and cerebral aqueduct leading to moderate dilatation of bilateral lateral ventricles, 3rd ventricle (A). Notably, the fourth ventricle remained of normal size (B), which is a rare occurrence in such cases where obstruction of CSF flow typically affects the fourth ventricle. The patient was operated on by transventricular approach with endoscopic third ventriculocystostomy and endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV). The postoperative course was uneventful. The patient was further advised to MRI CSF flowmetry, which was not done for financial reasons. Retrocerebellar cysts are rare and can sometimes obstruct CSF pathways, leading to hydrocephalus. This case is unique because the fourth ventricle remained unaffected despite significant hydrocephalus involving the lateral and third ventricles. One possible explanation is that the cystÂ’s primary impact was at the level of the quadrigeminal cistern and aqueduct of Sylvius, leading to an obstructed outflow of CSF from the third ventricle, while the CSF circulation through the fourth ventricle remained relatively unimpeded. This case also emphasizes the importance of early surgical intervention.
Corresponding author
Devyansh Nimodia, Department of Radiodiagnosis, Datta Meghe Institute of Medical Sciences, Sawangi, Wardha, Maharashtra, India (drdevyansh24@gmail.com)


The Pan African Medical Journal (ISSN: 1937-8688) is a subsidiary of the Pan African Medical Journal. The contents of this journal is intended exclusively for professionals in the medical, paramedical and public health and other health sectors.

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