Member Comments are provided by individuals and reflect their personal opinions only. Under NO circumstances should you act on any advice or opinion posted in this forum. ALWAYS check with your personal physician before taking any action regarding your health! MedHelp International and our partners, sponsors and affiliates have no obligation to monitor any comments posted on this site, or the content and/or accuracy of such exchanges. MedHelp International does not endorse the views of any user.
Neurology (Expert Forum)
Archnoid Cyst or Syringomyelia?
This forum is for questions and support regarding neurology issues such as: Alzheimer's Disease, ALS, Autism, Brain Cancer, Cerebral Palsy, Chronic Pain, Epilepsy, Fibromyalgia, Headaches, MS, Neuralgia, Neuropathy, Parkinson's Disease, RSD, Sleep Disorders, Stroke, Traumatic Brain Injury
Archnoid Cyst or Syringomyelia?
by Wolfen, Jun 05, 2004 12:00AM
I have a cyst in my spinal column that is from T-4 to T-10 and is 5mm in width at T-4. I have seen 2 neurosurgeons, they have used the terms archnoid cyst and syringomyelia. Niether doctor would even discuss surgery. I have severe pain in my midback and legs and loss of feeling in my feet. In fact, all they told me was not to do anything strenuous and no lifting and hopefully the cyst will not get any larger and only if it was to paralyse me would they consider surgery. I have not been able to find any information on cyst in this area of the spine. Is there anything that can be done?
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-Neuro-M.D.-CS, Jun 11, 2004 12:00AM
I want to clarify some terms first. There is a fluid filled space in the center of the spinal cord, which is normal. If this space enlarges it is called hydromyelia. If fluid collects within the cord, but outside this space it is called syringomyelia. An arachnoid cyst is a fluid collection that is surrounded by the normal coverings of the spine, the arachnoid coverings. This space may or may not communicate with the other fluid around it.
Regarding syringomyelia, structural lesions, causing compression of the cord and abnormal fluid movement, needs to be excluded. If there is no obvious cause to fix, then a decision to treat the synringomyelia is made based on clinical grounds. However the surgical treatment for this involves either placing a drain into the space, or cutting the tissue around the space so that it may drain. As you can imagine, the spinal cord is a very small strucutre with many important pathways, and therefore there are risks associated with surgery. Without examining you and reviewing the studies, I cannot give you an answer as to whether surgery is recommended or not. It would be reasonable to obtain another opinion, but I would recommend going to a large academic center to see a neurosurgeon who specializes in spinal disorders. Good luck. Sorry for the delay.
Regarding syringomyelia, structural lesions, causing compression of the cord and abnormal fluid movement, needs to be excluded. If there is no obvious cause to fix, then a decision to treat the synringomyelia is made based on clinical grounds. However the surgical treatment for this involves either placing a drain into the space, or cutting the tissue around the space so that it may drain. As you can imagine, the spinal cord is a very small strucutre with many important pathways, and therefore there are risks associated with surgery. Without examining you and reviewing the studies, I cannot give you an answer as to whether surgery is recommended or not. It would be reasonable to obtain another opinion, but I would recommend going to a large academic center to see a neurosurgeon who specializes in spinal disorders. Good luck. Sorry for the delay.
Mine goes from T7-8 though to L2. Arachnoid and syringomyelia. The arachnoid has split the upper portion of my spinal cord and has pressure eroded some verterbraes.
I've been told, (after 2 years of tests) that they could TRY to fix it but I'll come out with more chronic pain than I have now, more numbness but hopefully...a stopin the progression to full paralysis. I have lost sensation in my right leg and hip. I limp. The leg is atrohpying. I also have neurogenic bowel and bladder...no sexual sensations at all. Thats all from the Guru of SM doctors in NYC...The Chiari Institute. NIH in Bethesda won't give me too much info other than as part of the study, I MUST have a CT Myelogram to participate...something my neuro here in NY said was a no-nofor arachnoid cysts.
I take 3000 mgs of neurontin a day, occaisionally Fentanyl lollipops when the pain ia horrible and Ambien to sleep. I'm holding off on all surgery right now.
PLEASE WRITE TO ME IN PRIVATE ***@****. We need to talk.
I have a Syrinx that is located at c3-c5 and I was wanting to know what is the best thing to do with it. I am 20 years old and I have head aches EVERY day of my life. I am starting to have tingling in my pinkie and ring finger. I have gone to one doctor that told me that I need to let it get bigger before removing it but I want it to be gone now , is there a size it should be before it can be removed? I am starting nursing school in August and I have to have some help with this pain. Please email me at ***@**** if you have any information !!!
Thanks for any help you can give.