A Pediatric Radiology Textbook and Pediatric Radiology Digital Library
Pediatric Blake Pouch Cyst
Etiology: Failure of regression of Blake’s pouch due to non-perforation of Foramen of Magendie
Imaging: Cystic dilation of fourth ventricle
DDX: Dandy Walker Continuum
Dandy Walker malformation — Retrocerebellar cyst connecting to dilated fourth ventricle — Inferior vermian agenesis — Mass effect: cerebellar hemispheres splayed out and rotated up — Enlarged posterior fossa — High tentorium and sinuses (lambdoid torcular inversion) — Associations: Corpus callosum agenesis, migrational (polymicrogyria, heterotopia), cephaloceles (occipital), hydrocephalus, hypoplasia or atrophy of cerebellum or brainstem
Dandy Walker variant — Smaller retrocerebellar cyst — Milder fourth ventricle dilation — Milder inferior vermian agenesis or hypogenesis — Normal size or mildly enlarged posterior fossa — Similar associations
Mega cisterna magna — Enlarged cisterna magna (subarachnoid space) — Normal fourth ventricle — Intact with or without atrophic vermis — Normal sized or mildly enlarged posterior fossa
Blake pouch cyst — Cystic dilation of fourth ventricle
Complications:
Treatment:
Clinical:
Radiology Cases of Blake Pouch Cyst
Axial (above), sagittal (below left), and coronal (below right) T2 MRI without contrast of the brain shows dilation of the lateral and third ventricles. The cerebellum is small in size and there is a large and fluid-filled posterior fossa.