11mm x 6mm cyst in the pineal gland of brain

[zeeandpaul]

I had an MRI done recently and they found that I have a cyst described above in the pineal gland of the brain. what can cause it and should I be concerned about it. I am scared. They are looking for MS and I have 5 strips of white matter in my brain that are markers for MS, but the cyst is bothering me most.

[SurgiMenopause]

The moderator is scheduled to be away until Oct. 6th.  From nursing school days, I remember the pineal gland is the body's internal alarm clock.  From what I can see online, pineal cysts are benign sacs filled with fluid, but if they are larger, they may be symptomatic and cause serious symptoms.  It looks like yours would be a larger one.  They don't know what causes the large symptomatic pineal cyst.

Are you experiencing symptoms?

[zeeandpaul]

Thanks for replying. I too am a nurse. After speaking to my neurologitst this morning, he advised that I need further testing for MS  by a MS specialist. I will look into that. He says that I dont need to worry about the cyst right now until I see the MS doc.

My symptoms are severe spasms in my entire body at any time of day. double vision at times when reading. balance is off, I fall all the time.

I was involved in 3 accidents the last year with one being that I fell into a manhole cover and broke up all my left side. That is when the spasms started. It has been a year this october and they are not better. I am on massive doses of drugs to help with nerve pain, body pain, etc. I also have 4 pinched nerves and compressions from this accident.

I hope all works well and I will be ok. I am a very spiritual person and I know that I am in good hands with my docs.

Again thanks for your concern.

zeeandpaul

[rumpled]

There have been many people that have posted here on pineal cysts. The larger ones that are symtomatic should be treated, but from what I have read, it seems that since most are asymtomatic, the docs are not so impressed.

I would also see a neuro-endo as you need testing as well they may know the surgeons who can do the endoscopic surgery that you would need.

[SurgiMenopause]

I'm sorry you are having so much problems... all those pinched nerves must be a sore trial to you.  I hope you get the help you need!

[ycompanys]

The medical literature on pineal cysts does not discuss severe spasms.  However, severe spasms are often a symptom of MS, as are the vision problems and the strip of white matter in the brain, if it is myelin-related.  

The medical literature does state that double vision and balance problems can be related to pineal cysts, particularly if apoplexy (brain hemorrhaging) is involved.

Given that you had three accidents last year, it is unclear whether these symptoms are related to trauma.

I would be more worried about recovering from trauma and ruling out MS than about the pineal cyst, given your symptoms.  A 1 cm pineal cyst can be of no clinical significance, depending on your symptoms, so I would not worry about it as much as the other things.

Good luck.

[zeeandpaul]

thank you for the encouraging words, however I had a mri of the brain with contrast today and on monday will have MRI of the cervical and thoracic regions with contrast. My neurologist has conferred with other docs and it looks like I have the first stages of MS with all the other injuries I have. I will see the docs on tuesday and get the final results of the blood work and the mri;s,

Keep me in your thoughts please, I appreicate everyones comments and words of encouragement.

[rumpled]

My words of wisdom are that... you may have MS, yes, and the docs are going to work you up, but for some reason, docs think you can only have one thing at one time (or ever?). That cyst is pretty large so remind them that you have two things (it will be difficult) and see if you can get both resolved. It may not happen at the same time.

[zeeandpaul]

I am working on that, but my docs keep saying the cyst is not anything to worry about, right now they are concerned about the lesions in the brain signaling MS. I will however bring that cyst problem back up because like you, no one is supposed to have cysts in the brain. I expected to come back with a normal MRI, not all this stuff they have found.

Thanks for the words of knowledge and encouragement

paul and zee