Arachnoid Cyst Complicated by Intracystic Hemorrhage and Acute Subdural Hematoma after Head Trauma

A 23-year-old man with a 13-year history of headache due to anarachnoid cyst was knocked to the ground during a rugby match. He instantaneously lost consciousness. CTscan imaging showed massive intracystic haemorrhage and acute subdural hematoma. Despite intensive treatment including three neurosurgery interventions, the patient died 43 days after the accident as a result of multiple haemorrhage-related complications. Arachnoid cysts are the most frequent congenital intracranial abnormality, representing 1% to 5% of expansive intracranial processes. Less than 1% of these cysts lead to symptoms of intracranial hyper pressure. Arachnoid cysts are therefore commonly discovered by chance on cerebral imaging or during autopsy. In rare cases, life-threatening complications such as intracystic haemorrhage or subdural hematoma can occur in patients with arachnoid cyst as a result of head trauma. We therefore present a case report associated with a review of the literature.