Blake pouch cyst

Blake pouch cyst is a usually benign, cystic malformation found in the back part of the brain. It occurs when a part of the brain's early structure, the fourth ventricular tela choroidea, does not shrink during early development. This leads to a midline pouch-like protrusion of part of the brain into the area known as the cisterna magna. Some people with Blake pouch cyst do not have any symptoms, while others may show signs related to increased pressure inside the head (hydrocephalus). The cyst can be found during childhood or sometimes later in adulthood when symptoms develop. The condition is non-syndromic, meaning it is not part of a larger set of symptoms seen in other disorders.

People with this condition may not have any symptoms at all. When symptoms are present, they are often related to hydrocephalus. Reported symptoms include headaches, low muscle tone (hypotonia), dizziness or vertigo, fainting (syncope), vomiting, blurred or double vision, involuntary eye movements (nystagmus), swelling of the optic disc (papilledema), and delays in gait development.

Blake pouch cyst occurs due to a developmental issue during embryogenesis. Specifically, the fourth ventricular tela choroidea does not regress as it normally should. This results in the formation of a pouch-like cyst in the posterior part of the brain. No specific genetic cause or additional risk factors have been identified from the provided information.

Information about treatment is currently limited for this condition.

Many people with Blake pouch cyst remain asymptomatic and may never experience problems. When symptoms related to hydrocephalus do occur, the outlook depends on the severity of these symptoms and the timing of any necessary care. Detailed information about long-term outcomes is limited.

Information about research is currently limited for this condition.