Cyst in My Spine

Posted By Peter  on August 08, 1998 at 16:31:18:







Hello,
I am a 28 year old male.  As an infant I had Hydrocephelus for which doctors placed a shunt in my back and another in the back of my ear lobe.  The surgery was a success and I grow up in good health save for fallen arches in my feet (doctors say this is due to my hydro condition).  About six years ago though I tripped and fell off the steps at a company I was working for at the time. I seemed fine at the time but a day later started to get a spasm in my right leg (I am left- handed) and generally walked around unstable as if I were intoxicated (I don't drink).  My physician ordered an MRI scan and it indicated what he "though" was a cyst in my spine at about the base of the brain.  He sent me to Duke University Medical Center where a neurosurgon confirmed that it was a cyst and recommended an operation be performed immediately to remove it. He had no reference MRI's to see if the cyst had grown or changed over the years.  
I did not have the operation done back then because the doctor told me that I was at risk of paralysis whether I had the cycst removed or not.
It took about a year, but through regular exercise on my Cardioglide(R)
stationary bicycle I regained the stability in my walking so much so that I could walk without a can as support. I was fine for about four years.
Last month however, I slipped on a pebble in a walkway, and fell to the ground. At first, I couldn't stand up; my right leg was immovable. But about a minute later, I was able to stand and walk with ease.  However, about a week later I started to walk around in an uncoordinated manner.
Now I have to use the can again to walk even short distances and the leg spasms (ie., involuntary movement)are back.
Last week I had another MRI and went to a neurosurgon.  Good news! He does not see the need for surgery.  He indeed confirmed the cyst at the base of my brain in the spine.  He compared it to my previous MRI from five years ago and noted that the cyst had not grown or changed in any way.  However, he feels the cyst may have touched a nerve as a result of the impact of the fall causing my leg problems (the coordination in my arns and hands is just fine). He feels that with help from a physicial therapist I will be able to walk normally again.
My questions: What is a cyst in the spine? Is it cause for concern?  Can a non-cancerous cyst become cancerous? (I am concerned that this is like a time-bomb in my head waiting to explode without notice). Also, does it take a long time for nerves to heal?
Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
Peter