Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39222159›Full record

ArticleSports medicine - open2024

Arachnoid Cysts in Athletes with Sports-Related Concussion: A Case Series and Literature Review.

Andrew R Stevens, Kamal M Yakoub, David J Davies, Antonio Belli, Philip J O'Halloran

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Sports medicine - open, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Asymptomatic arachnoid cysts turning symptomatic after sports-related concussion injury: a report of two cases.Child's nervous system : ChNS : official journal of the International Society for Pediatric Neurosurgery · 2026
    Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Andrew R StevensNeuroscience and Ophthalmology, Institute of Inflammation and Ageing, Robert Aitken Institute for Clinical Research, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK. a.stevens@bham.ac.uk.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3222-133X
Kamal M YakoubNeuroscience and Ophthalmology, Institute of Inflammation and Ageing, Robert Aitken Institute for Clinical Research, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK.
David J DaviesNeuroscience and Ophthalmology, Institute of Inflammation and Ageing, Robert Aitken Institute for Clinical Research, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK.
Antonio BelliNeuroscience and Ophthalmology, Institute of Inflammation and Ageing, Robert Aitken Institute for Clinical Research, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK.
Philip J O'HalloranDepartment of Neurosurgery, Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, Mindelsohn Way, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2GW, UK.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundArachnoid cysts (AC) are associated with a risk of rupture or haemorrhage following head impact and pose a potential predisposing factor for significant complications of sport-related concussion. Despite a recognised association between ACs and intracranial haemorrhage/cyst rupture, the risk profile of participating in contact sports with AC is not well defined. We report a retrospective case series of players presenting to the Birmingham Sports Concussion Clinic between 2017 and 2023 and underwent MRI head, with a comprehensive review of the prior literature.

results432 athletes underwent MRI of which 11 were identified to have AC (middle fossa n = 8; posterior fossa n = 2, intraventricular n = 1). Average maximal diameter was 4.1 ± 1.2 cm. 64% had a protracted recovery (≥ 3 months). 9% experienced an AC specific complication (cyst rupture, complete neurological recovery, maximal diameter 6.5 cm, Galassi II, 4 previous concussions). 91% of patients (mean maximal diameter 3.9 ± 1.0 cm) experienced no complications despite multiple previous accumulated sports-related concussions (mean 3.3, range 1-9). Case studies from the literature are summarised (n = 63), with 98% reporting complications, none of which resulted in adverse or unfavourable neurological outcomes. Across prospective and retrospective cohort studies, 1.5% had a structural injury, and (where outcome was reported) all had a favourable outcome.

conclusionsAC is an incidental finding in athletes, with the majority in our cohort having sustained serial concussions without AC complication. The single complication within this cohort occurred in the largest AC, and AC size is proposed as a tentative factor associated with increased risk of contact sports participation. Complications of AC appear to be a rare occurrence. This case series and review has not identified evidence to suggest that participation in sports with AC is of significant risk, though individualised assessment and discussion of the potential risks of contact sports participation should be offered.

Indexed as

Arachnoid cystAthletesConcussionCyst ruptureMild traumatic brain injuryPost-concussion syndromeSports injurySports-related concussionSubdural haematomaTraumatic brain injury

Identifiers

PMID39222159
PMCPMC11369129

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.