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Neurology (Expert Forum)
Pineal Cyst
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Pineal Cyst
by HannahKat, Oct 17, 2004 12:00AM
My 7 yr old has complained for a couple of years about headaches and trouble seeing particularly from one eye. She was diagnosed with lazy eye around age 4 and wears glasses but still says the eye gets blurry and does not see well. She had several follow ups and the eye MD said she is fine.
My pediatrician ordered and MRI. My daughter was only able to tolerate some of it but the preliminary report is as follows:
9mm pineal region cyst that exerts mild mass effect on the quadrigeminal place and causes mild narrowing of the superior aqueduct. Small non-specific focus FLAIR hyperintensity within the anterior right corona radiata.
We are seeing a neurosurgeon next week. I have been scouring the internet and know that generally pineal cysts are benign and are kind of common in kids. I wonder though with my daughter accompanying symptoms and the reading of the MRI if some of her compliants might be tied to this cyst despite it not being overly large.
Can you elaborate more on the finding and what they mean. Also, what is the surgical treatment for these kinds of cysts? Is mild narrowing of the aqueduct a normal finding (I suspect not). I thought this is the duct that connects 3rd and 4th ventricle.
Thanks for any information you can offer.
Kathy and Hannah (my daughter)
My pediatrician ordered and MRI. My daughter was only able to tolerate some of it but the preliminary report is as follows:
9mm pineal region cyst that exerts mild mass effect on the quadrigeminal place and causes mild narrowing of the superior aqueduct. Small non-specific focus FLAIR hyperintensity within the anterior right corona radiata.
We are seeing a neurosurgeon next week. I have been scouring the internet and know that generally pineal cysts are benign and are kind of common in kids. I wonder though with my daughter accompanying symptoms and the reading of the MRI if some of her compliants might be tied to this cyst despite it not being overly large.
Can you elaborate more on the finding and what they mean. Also, what is the surgical treatment for these kinds of cysts? Is mild narrowing of the aqueduct a normal finding (I suspect not). I thought this is the duct that connects 3rd and 4th ventricle.
Thanks for any information you can offer.
Kathy and Hannah (my daughter)
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-Neuro-M.D.-CS, Oct 18, 2004 12:00AM
Without reviewing the scans it is difficult to make assumptions. You are correct that most pineal cysts are found incidentally and are not related to the patient's symptoms. This cyst is small, but in the report is pushing mildly against the brainstem. The only nerve to the eye (4th cranial nerve) which comes out of the brainstem near this region, is lower, and therfore should not be affected by this cyst. However, you should ask the surgeon about this, since he/she will have the opportunity to review the scan.
Regarding the narrowing of the aqueduct, you are correct this does connect the 3rd and 4th ventricles. If the flow of spinal fluid is obstructed/decreased, this could cause symptoms of increased intracranial pressure. These are headaches, vomiting, blurry vision, gait problems, and eventually bowel/bladder problems. However, it seems your daughter does not have these. Therefore the narrowing of the canal may not be significant.
Unfortunately without reviewing the scans I can not be more specific. I hope this helps, and good luck.
Regarding the narrowing of the aqueduct, you are correct this does connect the 3rd and 4th ventricles. If the flow of spinal fluid is obstructed/decreased, this could cause symptoms of increased intracranial pressure. These are headaches, vomiting, blurry vision, gait problems, and eventually bowel/bladder problems. However, it seems your daughter does not have these. Therefore the narrowing of the canal may not be significant.
Unfortunately without reviewing the scans I can not be more specific. I hope this helps, and good luck.
