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Questions posted in the
Neurology and Neurosurgery Forum have been answered by doctors from The Cleveland Clinic Foundation.
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Subject: Re: Arachnoid cyst I am a 51 year old female who has been diagnosed with an Arachnoid cyst. I was first diagnosed in June of 97. At that time the cyst measured 6.0x4.1x5.0. The doctors drained the cyst which reduced the pressure in my head. Before surgery I was experiencing a roaring senation in my head and had considerable pain in the back of my neck. After the cyst was drained on 10-97 the cyst measured 3.8 x 4.0 x 4.3. The doctors said the pain I was experiencing was not from the cyst, but did a complete work up and diagnosed me with Fibromyalgis. On March the 3rd of this year, I went back for another MRI and the cyst had increased to 5.5 x 4.2 x4.8. I am experiencing the roaring in my head again, (sounds like a train) and still have the pain in the back of my neck. He said at this, point, that we should just take the "wait and see" avenue. I was wondering if you could give me any information on this type of cyst and can it be the cause of the roaring I hear? Should I be concerned about the size of the cyst or is this within the safe limitation of Arachoid cysts. Thank you for any help you can give me.
Dear Pat: Sorry to hear about your recurrent archnoid cyst. Usually these types of cysts are watched, and if they present with neurological signs such as ataxia they are then drained. Some of the cysts reoccur and require re-draining while some are chronic and require shunting. The latter is a rare finding. The pain that you describe may or may not be from the archnoid cyst, it would depend on what structures the cyst is either pushing on or moving. However, in isolation in the back of your head, without other signs it would seem unlikely that the cyst would only cause the pain. The roaring in you head also may or may not be the result of the cyst. It, again, would depend on the location to the eighth nerve. Since, surgery is a big deal I would probably agree with the neurologist. However, it may not be a bad idea to get a second opinion if it worsens. Sincerely, CCF Neuro MD |
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