Member Comments are provided by individuals and reflect their personal opinions only. Under NO circumstances should you act on any advice or opinion posted in this forum. ALWAYS check with your personal physician before taking any action regarding your health! MedHelp International and our partners, sponsors and affiliates have no obligation to monitor any comments posted on this site, or the content and/or accuracy of such exchanges. MedHelp International does not endorse the views of any user.
Neurology (Expert Forum)
Chiari Malformation Type I, Arachnoid Cyst
Answered by
Cleveland Clinic
This forum is for questions and support regarding neurology issues such as: Alzheimer's Disease, ALS, Autism, Brain Cancer, Cerebral Palsy, Chronic Pain, Epilepsy, Fibromyalgia, Headaches, MS, Neuralgia, Neuropathy, Parkinson's Disease, RSD, Sleep Disorders, Stroke, Traumatic Brain Injury.
Chiari Malformation Type I, Arachnoid Cyst
by ajwalsh33, Oct 17, 2009 09:59AM
For the past week, I have been suffering from constant (all day / all night) severe headaches...unlike any that I've ever had before. This has been combined with intermittent dizziness.
I had an MRI / MRA yesterday, and the radiologist and my PCP agree that I have a 4CM arachnoid cyst on the posterior fossa AND a 5MM Type I Chiari Malformation. I will be scheduling with a neuro specialist next week.
I'm really nervous about this, absent guidance from an "expert" to the contrary. Should I be? Is it likely or unlikely that this will require surgery? Any counsel is appreciated, thank you.
I had an MRI / MRA yesterday, and the radiologist and my PCP agree that I have a 4CM arachnoid cyst on the posterior fossa AND a 5MM Type I Chiari Malformation. I will be scheduling with a neuro specialist next week.
I'm really nervous about this, absent guidance from an "expert" to the contrary. Should I be? Is it likely or unlikely that this will require surgery? Any counsel is appreciated, thank you.
Doctor's Answer
by Sara Khan, Oct 20, 2009 07:57PM
, Oct 20, 2009 07:57PM
Thanks for using the forum. I am happy to address your questions, and my answer will be based on the information you provided here. Please make sure you recognize that this forum is for educational purposes only, and it does not substitute for a formal office visit with your doctor.
Without the ability to examine you and obtain a history, I can not tell you what the exact cause of your symptoms is. However I will try to provide you with some useful information.
Both Chiari malformations and Arachnoid cyst are usually Congenital, meaning that they are present from birth. So you should rest assured that they didn't come about because of anything you did.
A lot of people without symptoms have arachnoid cysts. They usually don't require any treatment. However Chiari malformations usually present in middle age people, with headaches or dizziness. Unfortunately there is no medicine that can treat the problem as it is an anatomical problem. Medications may only help with headaches. Usually neurosurgeons make a decision to operate or not to operate on the basis of symptoms, your neurological exam and what your MRI looks like.
If they think you need treatment for this, then surgery would be it. You should rest assured that this is a very common problem, and the surgery is done routinely. In the hands of an expert who do these kinds of surgeries, you should be fine.
Good luck with your appointment. I hope you feel well soon.
Without the ability to examine you and obtain a history, I can not tell you what the exact cause of your symptoms is. However I will try to provide you with some useful information.
Both Chiari malformations and Arachnoid cyst are usually Congenital, meaning that they are present from birth. So you should rest assured that they didn't come about because of anything you did.
A lot of people without symptoms have arachnoid cysts. They usually don't require any treatment. However Chiari malformations usually present in middle age people, with headaches or dizziness. Unfortunately there is no medicine that can treat the problem as it is an anatomical problem. Medications may only help with headaches. Usually neurosurgeons make a decision to operate or not to operate on the basis of symptoms, your neurological exam and what your MRI looks like.
If they think you need treatment for this, then surgery would be it. You should rest assured that this is a very common problem, and the surgery is done routinely. In the hands of an expert who do these kinds of surgeries, you should be fine.
Good luck with your appointment. I hope you feel well soon.
