Neurology Community
Arachnoid Cysts
About This Community:

This forum is for questions and support regarding neurology issues such as: Alzheimer's Disease, ALS, Autism, Brain Cancer, Cerebral Palsy, Chronic Pain, Epilepsy, Headaches, MS, Neuralgia, Neuropathy, Parkinson's Disease, RSD, Sleep Disorders, Stroke, Traumatic Brain Injury.

Font Size:
A
A
A
Background:
Blank
Blank
Blank
Blank Blank

Arachnoid Cysts

My godchild is 14 years old and was just diagnosed with an arachnoid cyst the size of a fist, she has had headaches and temporary sight loss. Can this be left untreated
Related Discussions
4 Comments Post a Comment
Blank
645864_tn?1223592864
No, it can't be left untreated. But if you are unfortunate to find an ignorant neuro, they may tell you otherwise. I am an Arachnoid Cyst patient, and I have dealt with palinopsia because my cyst was pressing on my occipital lobes, gait disturbances because my cyst was also squishing my cerebellum, and a wide variety of other symptoms. I have had 11 brain surgeries, and countless procedures. I failed every single adult shunt system available in Philadelphia, and basically spend a year in the hospital.

I now campaign for Arachnoid Cyst patients that they find the treatment they need.
Blank
Avatar_f_tn
Hi.
How are you doing?
Arachnoid cysts are developmental malformations in the brain, which usually remain asymptomatic even if the cyst is quite large. However, minor head trauma can damage the existing cyst, leading to some complications. This gives rise to symptoms of raised intracranial pressure and nerve compression such a headache, visual disturbances, seizures, weakness or paralysis on one half of the body) and loss of muscle control. Frontal arachnoid cysts have been associated with depression.
They are generally incidental findings on MRI scans. Some other tests could be mini mental state examination (MMSE) and cognitive questionnaires. Treatment is however controversial. There is difference of opinion among clinicians whether to treat only patients with symptomatic cysts or even asymptomatic patients also require treatment.
You should discuss treatment options with your neurosurgeon, which may include anything from no intervention to surgical decompression to excision of the cyst to provide relief from symptoms. Hope this gives you some insight.
Regards

Blank
Avatar_n_tn
Can you  help my mother is 84 and has just been diagnoised with a cyst on her brain.  What is the treatment for some of her age.  She mas many other health issues one is chronic COPD.  Please could you give me some assistance on this.  I live so far away from her and I am worried about this.

Thank you
Blank
Avatar_n_tn
Hi, I am 19 years old and a sophmore in college.  I got into a car accident and got whip lash really bad so I went in and got a CT scan and that is when I found out I had an arachnoid cyst that is pretty big in the front left side of my brain.  I have not had any symptoms of this cyst throughout my life.  Is it possible to go through life with a cyst and never have a symptom?  I am worrying myself to death because I feel like, after reading all of these posts, that I am going to/ supposed to have symptoms.  The only symptom I have had is probably instances of pretty bad depression.  I am very clueless on my hole situation and I guess I am just looking for answers.  Can an arachnoid cyst kill you?  what are the chances that I will have symptoms at some point in my life???
Blank
Post a Comment
To
Go
Blank
Mood Tracker
See what affects your mood
Start Tracking Now
Blank
Pain Tracker
Track location and severity
Start Tracking Now
MedHelp Health Answers
Blank
Moody Me
Have more happy days!
Download Now
Top Neurology Answerers
620923_tn?1366319552
Blank
selmaS
Allentown, PA
338416_tn?1260996698
Blank
jensequitur
Fort Worth, TX
1823499_tn?1353017646
Blank
Sexybare
Bay city, MI
999891_tn?1361567064
Blank
rod44
Cork city, Ireland
144586_tn?1284669764
Blank
caregiver222
293157_tn?1285877039
Blank
Wobbly
RSS Expert Activity
1741471_tn?1349564002
Blank
Parkinson Awareness Month: Parkinso... Blank
May 10 by Michael Gonzalez-WallaceBlank
233488_tn?1310696703
Blank
NEW STUDIES ON PREVENTING PROGRESSI...
May 08 by John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAOBlank
2126606_tn?1346348724
Blank
Heroin Use in the U.S.
May 08 by Clare Waismann Kavin, Blank