Arachnoid Cyst

[cissy0311]

I am a 28 yr femal and I was diagnosed with a Right Parietal Arachnoid Cyst the size of a golf ball. Demyelinating disease was put on the findings as a less likely cause. I have been experiencing painful headaches with sharp stabbing pains, cranial pressure, feeling like my head is going to explode, eye twitching, aching joints and memory loss, forgetfullness and light sensitivity along with vision impairment. I will put something down in front of me and go to look for it, I cant see it at all for about 20 or 30 seconds. Is that due to the Cyst in my brain? Since 2005 the cyst has grown from the size of a grape to the size of a golfball. I take advil, asprin, tylenol anything I can to stop the pain. I have been reading up on arachnoid cyst and I know there currently is no cure for them. With the symptoms that I have will the neurosurgeon remove the cyst? If I decide not to have it removed will the cyst continue to grow? Will I still be able to fly on a plane? At what point does a cyst hemorage? Originally It was found while I was active duty Army, the neurologist told me just not to hit my head. will I be okay If I dont hit my head? I meet with another neurologist in a few days and I am aggrivated by this? Why would MS be a possible diagnosis? Is there anyone who will take my case seriously?

[dr_simran]

Hello Dear,

Arachnoid cysts represent benign cysts that occur in the cerebrospinal axis in relation to the arachnoid membrane and do not communicate with the ventricular system. They usually contain clear, colorless fluid that is most likely normal cerebrospinal fluid.
Most are developmental anomalies. Arachnoid cysts often are an incidental finding on imaging, and usually, patients are asymptomatic even if the cyst is quite large
Symptoms include:headache,mental confusion,lightheadedness ,dizziness,double vision, blurred vision, or tired eyes ,ringing in the ears ,bad taste or metallic taste in the mouth ,fatigue or lethargy ,a change in sleep patterns ,behavioral, personality or moodchanges, trouble with memoryThe surgical placement of a shunt may be required to decompress (remove pressure from) the cyst..
Untreated, arachnoid cysts may cause permanent severe neurological damage due to the progressive expansion of the cyst(s)or hemorrhage (bleeding). With treatment most individuals with arachnoid cysts do well.
Drainage by needle aspiration or burr hole. While these procedures are relatively simple, there is a high incidence of recurrence.
Best

[dr_simran]

Refer http://www.emedicine.com/radio/byname/Arachnoid-Cyst.htm

[jadiee_x]

heey,

i also have a right temperal arachnoid cyst since in the womb...which supposedly dispursed by the time i were born. infact it didnt it grew and grew, i displayed symptoms when i was 14 months old, CT scans showed by then that it was far to large to operate on and the only option were to have a VP shunt inserted.
this device really does work wonders...of course it comes with its risks, infection,malfunction, perforation etc.
but it really is worth the risk, its a life long thing...for most people, but must be so much better than being on egde about thinking when something will go incredibly wrong with your growing cyst. a shunt will keep this at minimal size.
there is no discomfort with a shunt, you wont even know its there, believe me. ive had mine now for 17 years, its amazing, im as fit as a fiddle. =D
the operation is highly effective but not too complicated, only lasts about 2/3 hours. revisions only take about an hour. ive came out fine after each =D

hope this helps a bit and good luck x