Arachnoid cyst — DVA SoP factors

Reasonable Hypothesis (RH) — Statement of Principles No. 11 of 2025

At least one of the following factors must as a minimum exist before it can be said that a reasonable hypothesis has been raised connecting arachnoid cyst or death from arachnoid cyst with the circumstances of a person's relevant service:

1. (1)
   having concussion within the 12 months before clinical onset of cranial arachnoid cyst;
2. (2)
   having a moderate to severe traumatic brain injury before clinical onset of cranial arachnoid cyst;
3. (3)
   having concussion or a moderate to severe traumatic brain injury within the 3 months before clinical worsening of cranial arachnoid cyst;
4. (4)
   having trauma in the region of the affected site before clinical onset of spinal arachnoid cyst;

   Note: trauma is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

5. (5)
   having trauma in the region of the affected site within the 3 months before clinical worsening of spinal arachnoid cyst;

   Note: trauma is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

6. (6)
   undergoing spinal surgery in the region of the affected site before clinical onset of spinal arachnoid cyst;

   Note: Examples of spinal surgery include spinal fusion, laminectomy, discectomy and interspinous device insertion.

7. (7)
   undergoing spinal surgery in the region of the affected site within the 3 months before clinical worsening of spinal arachnoid cyst;

   Note: Examples of spinal surgery include spinal fusion, laminectomy, discectomy and interspinous device insertion.

8. (8)
   undergoing cranial surgery in the region of the affected site before clinical onset of cranial arachnoid cyst;
9. (9)
   undergoing cranial surgery in the region of the affected site within the 3 months before clinical worsening of cranial arachnoid cyst;
10. (10)
    having intrathecal catheter placement, including lumboperitoneal shunt and spinal anaesthesia, or inadvertent dural puncture during epidural injections or epidural anaesthesia, in the region of the affected site, before clinical onset or clinical worsening of spinal arachnoid cyst:;
11. (11)
    having a myelogram before clinical onset or clinical worsening of spinal arachnoid cyst;
12. (12)
    having one of the following infections before clinical onset or clinical worsening: (a) bacterial infection of the brain or spinal cord, including abscess; (b) bacterial, viral or fungal meningitis; (c) cranial or spinal tuberculosis; (d) neurosyphilis;
13. (13)
    having a subarachnoid haemorrhage within the cranium or spinal canal before clinical onset or clinical worsening of arachnoid cyst;
14. (14)
    having spinal adhesive arachnoiditis before clinical onset or clinical worsening of spinal arachnoid cyst;
15. (15)
    having a malignant neoplasm with infiltration of the meninges within the 1 year before clinical onset or clinical worsening of arachnoid cyst;
16. (16)
    inability to obtain appropriate clinical management for arachnoid cyst before clinical worsening;