Arachnoid cyst

I'm 32 y/o diagnosed with a arachnoid cyst on my left frontal subdural space.

My symptoms before the diagnosis were headache for 3 weeks (scale 1 to 10 = 8) burning sensation and affected visio on my left eye, and weakness on my left hand ( i thought was carpal tunnel, nerve conductivity was ok)

So I decided to go to mi doc, he send me a CT scan, they found something wear at that time and thats the reason they send me to do a MRI. MRI findings were a left frontal subdural collection of CSF (arachnoid cyst) with measures up to 5.0 cm medial to lateral, by 1.5 cm anterior to posterior, and up to 3.0 cm superior to inferior. affecting the upon underlying left frontal gyri.

They refered me to a specialist (neurosurgeon) and he said that the only treatment is surgery. I know neurosurgeons are really busy, but mine was kind,  doyou want surgery yes or no? OHH I just have to open your skull and drain the cyst, or put a tube that goes under your skin trouh your stomach........ So obviously I said NO to surgery, but I been thinking and I can not decide if I really want that. So thats the reason I'm here with some questions. I hope somebody responds to these.


Is the cyst gonna continue growing?
Is there any chance that the cyst explote on my brain causing brain damage?
        I have to say I'm a Firefighter and I really dont want to put on risk my life and my brothers.
So, is the cyst gonna explote after or during and extreme pressure (excersise,fire structure)?
How complicated, and big is the surgery?
What is the recovery time?
Is there any secondary effects after surgery?


I had all these questions yesterday, but my doc looks like he was on a hurry, I'm gonna look for another doc.

Thank you so much. (Boulder Colorado)
      

[drrajgopal18]

Hi,
The complications of an untreated arachnoid cyst are – spontaneous rupture , intracystic haemorrhage , subdural hematoma and many more like compression of nerves causing visual disturbances , slurring of speech , dizziness etc . Please consult a neurosurgeon for the surgical excision of the cyst . Please visit the site - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arachnoid_cyst for the treatment options and more information . Hope this helps you . Take care and regards !

[jeric]

I have an arachnoid cyst and was told that it was an incidental finding on my MRI for headaches and that nothing needed to be done for it. Yours could be different though... I would get a 2nd opinion.