Colloid Cyst Possibility??

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Hi, I am a 34 year old female (Janis) who has just been told by my neurosurgeon that I may have a colloid cyst. Last year, he told me that I had "a normal variant cystic septum with veins" which in short meant that I didn't have to worry because although it was very rare, it would not harm me or pose any problems. He did recommend a follow up this year and now he said he thinks it is a colloid cyst, but would have to review it with other members of his team. In the meantime, I have been reading all about the colloid cysts and it is just aweful! Is it possible to misdiagnose a colloid cyst?

According to my MRI the cyst is 4mm in the 3rd ventricle, there is no midline shift or hydrocephalus and no abnormal restricted diffusion.

I am going crazy waiting for the results as he said it might take up to a month before I get back in to see him.

I also have no symptoms and I have normal or he said, “small ventricles”.

If it is a colloid cyst and I have no symptoms, a small cyst and no hydrocephalus -- can it still cause sudden death?

Are there Canadian surgeons who specialize in this type of surgery? I don't even know where to start.

Thanks

[dka_palmer]

Janis,
I am a colloid cyst survivor.  My cyst was discovered and removed back in 1991.  Colloid cysts are benign tumor, they are not cancerous nor do they attack other cells.  The problem with colloid cysts is their location (in the Third Ventricle).
If colloid cysts grow large enough they can block the flow of Cerebral Spinal Fluid (CSF), if the flow is obstructed by the cyst, then the fluid is unable to drain and your ventricle fills up with fluid (this is called hydrocephalus).  It is the pressure from the hydrocephalus that can cause sudden death.  If your cyst is small and does not block the flow of CSF then it is considered asymptomatic (and does not cause any problems), it is when the cyst grows large enough to block the flow of CSF that hydrocephalus occurs, this is called symptomatic and can be very dangerous.
I am a member of a colloid cyst support group for both survivors and those who have been diagnosed with colloid cysts.  It is a great place for information and to ask questions or seek support.  There a quite a few of your fellow Canadians in the group, they may be able to help you with additional information.  I am including the link below.
I hope that everything works out well for you.
dka_palmer

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