Disorders of graphomotor skills in children with congenital intracranial arachnoid cysts

Abstract

Introduction: Congenital intracranial arachnoid cysts (CIAC) are benign anomalies that usually remain asymptomatic and in most of cases are diagnosed accidentally thanks to advanced imaging technologies. Early detection of symptomatic cases ensures the opportunity for proper and in time surgial treatment. We report a group of n = 6 children, preschoolers,with CIAC, who suffer mainly from disorders of graphomotor skills.

Methods: The study includes a total of n = 6 children /4M/2F/, 3.5- 6 years old, with clinical signs of cognitive impairment, movement disorders and fine motor skills and coordination, developmental disturbances, and gnostic and praxis changes. They were evaluated with: neuropsychological examination - (MA, 1985); test for the diagnosis and prevention of the language for children 3-4 years old and test for spatial orientation PUV /through graphics and conditional- schematic models/. For the diagnostics of potential underlying brain disease MRI was used in 4 of cases and CT scan for the other two cases. Data provided from the neuroimaging were put together with the results of neuropsychologic evaluation and other test use in this study.

Conclusion: CIAC in childhood are benign congenital collections of cerebrospinal fluid that may remain asymptomatic. Rarely, due to different reasons, their volume may increase and in such a manner compress the adjacent neural structures. Appart of different neurologic deficits and other brain symptoms, (CIAC) in children could present with developmental dosorders, cognitive impairment, gnostic changes and apraxia. Early detection of these changes in childhood may guide our attention and clinical thinking to diagnose (CIAC) through modern neuroimaging and in time surgical treatment.