Presentation
Acute headache; rule out subarachnoid hemorrhage.
Patient Data
A round spontaneously hyperdense lesion at the level of the foramen of Monro (measuring 7 mm), a typical location, and density for of colloidal cyst. There was no associated hydrocephalus, nor other structural abnormalities.
Redemonstration of well-circumscribed oval-shaped, T1 spontaneously hyperintense cystic lesion within the intraventricular septum, adjacent to the foramen of Monro measuring approximately 7 mm, with no mass effect or hydrocephalus. There is no evidence of intracranial hemorrhage.
Case Discussion
The location and CT/MRI appearance are characteristic of a colloid cyst of the third ventricle.
Most colloid cysts are found incidentally, and clinically present with headache or rarely, symptoms of raised intracranial pressure. Once seen on an image, urgent surgical consultation is required; based on the patient's clinical status and radiographic structural impact of the cyst, a resection maybe urgent. Headache associated with colloid cysts is usually positional (leaning forward) and the patient might be taught some maneuveres to relieve headache.