Interhemispheric cyst

Last revised by Qutaiba Jaf'ar Mahmoud on 25 Jul 2023

An interhemispheric cyst refers to a cyst located in the interhemispheric fissure, with or without communication with the ventricular system. The are often diagnosed antenatally on ultrasound (see fetal intracranial cystic lesions) 1-4.

A number of classification systems have been described, with the Barkovich classification 5 probably being the most often used when concurrent agenesis of the corpus callosum is present (a common association).

In brief, the classification divides these cysts into two types:

  • type 1: communicate with the lateral or third ventricles

  • type 2: loculated without communication with the ventricular system

See Barkovich classification of agenesis of the corpus callosum with interhemispheric cyst for a complete description.

There is relatively little pathological consensus on whether all interhemispheric cysts are histologically the same or whether they represent various cystic lesions depending on etiology; arachnoid cysts, ependymal cysts or even neurenteric cysts 3,5.

Considerations include:

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