Headache induced by an arachnoid cyst of the sphenoid sinus: a rare diagnosis problem?

• Published in: European archives of oto-rhino-laryngology Vol. 265; no. 1; pp. 135 - 137
• Main Authors: Tuomilehto, Henri, Ronkainen, Antti, Ikonen, Aki
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer-Verlag 01-01-2008; Springer
• Subjects: Adult; Arachnoid Cysts - complications; Arachnoid Cysts - diagnosis; Biological and medical sciences; Case Report; Female; Head and Neck Surgery; Headache - etiology; Headache. Facial pains. Syncopes. Epilepsia. Intracranial hypertension. Brain oedema. Cerebral palsy; Humans; Medical sciences; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Nervous system (semeiology, syndromes); Neurology; Neurosurgery; Otorhinolaryngology; Otorhinolaryngology. Stomatology; Paranasal Sinus Diseases - complications; Paranasal Sinus Diseases - diagnosis; Sphenoid Sinus; Young Adult; Arachnoid cyst; Headache; Differential diagnosis; Sphenoid sinus; Nervous system diseases; Pain; Sphenoidal sinus; Arachnoidal cyst; ENT; Neurological disorder; Differential diagnostic
• ISSN: 0937-4477; 1434-4726
• DOI: 10.1007/s00405-007-0404-z

We describe a diagnostic problem in a young adult with a long history of frequently occurring headache episodes. The cause for these episodes was traced to a rare condition, extensive arachnoid cyst of sphenoid sinus. Extensive lesions of the sphenoid sinus are relatively rare and can cause non-specific symptoms. Thus they can represent a major pre-operative diagnosis dilemma even with access to advanced imaging techniques.