Cerebellopontine arachnoid cyst encountered incidentally during medico-legal autopsy Slong Daunipaia1, Nath Anamika2,*, Patowary Amar Jyoti3, Ropmay Amarantha Donna4, Mishra Jaya5 1Demonstrator, Dept. of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, Tezpur Medical College & Hospital, Assam, India, Pin: 784010 2Associate Professor, Department of Pathology, North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health & Medical Sciences, Mawdiangdiang, Shillong, Meghalaya, Pin- 793018 3Professor and Head, Department of Pathology, North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health & Medical Sciences, Mawdiangdiang, Shillong, Meghalaya, Pin- 793018 4Additional Professor, Department of Pathology, North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health & Medical Sciences, Mawdiangdiang, Shillong, Meghalaya, Pin- 793018 5Additional Professor, Department of Pathology, North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health & Medical Sciences, Mawdiangdiang, Shillong, Meghalaya, Pin- 793018 *Corresponding Author Dr Anamika Nath, MD, Demonstrator, Deptt. of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, Tezpur Medical College & Hospital, Assam, India, Pin: 784010, Email: arachneliya@gmail.com
Online published on 19 March, 2025. Abstract Arachnoid cysts, typically benign and congenital, are fluid-filled lesions that often go unnoticed and are discovered incidentally. Though common in the general population, their presence is rarely highlighted in forensic cases. This report focuses on a cerebellopontine arachnoid cyst (CPAC) unexpectedly found during a medico-legal autopsy. The case involved a 28-year-old male who had a history of fever, dry cough, and breathlessness. Upon external examination, no notable abnormalities were identified. Internally, the autopsy revealed multiple white nodules on the lungs and spleen, and a cystic lesion at the right cerebellopontine angle, compressing the brainstem. Histological analysis confirmed the presence of the CPAC along with significant lung inflammation and damage. The lung condition was identified as the cause of death. CPACs, though rare, pose challenges in forensic contexts because they can grow, compress critical areas of the brainstem, or even rupture, potentially leading to sudden death. While these cysts are usually asymptomatic, their potential to cause severe symptoms or complications is real. This case emphasizes the importance of identifying such cysts in forensic autopsies to avoid errors in determining the cause of death, particularly in cases where trauma might be suspected. In conclusion, awareness of arachnoid cysts in forensic medicine is essential due to their possible complications and the legal implications they carry. Proper identification during autopsies ensures an accurate understanding of the cause of death and prevents potential misdiagnoses. Top Keywords Arachnoid cyst, Cerebellopontine angle, Autopsy, Medicolegal implications, Intracranial lesions. Top |