Left-Posterior Arachnoid Brain Cyst 5.7 cm

[Firedogs]

U.S. Military Veteran sustained two (2) blows to the back of the head in 1977.  Signs and Symptoms down-the-road surfaced a left-eye visual problem of which lead to a Brain Scan in 1979 finding a Left-Posterior Arachnoid Brain Cyst.  The cyst was removed in 1979 and grew back causing the need for a VP Shunt in 1982.  The VP Shunt stopped working in 1998.  Presently, the size of the Left-Posterior Brain Cyst is 5.7 cm w/the fourth ventricle shifted to the right of midline, brain stem structures shifted to the right, and because the cyst is so large there is compression on the cerebellum.

Could this Left-Posterior Arachnoid Brain Cyst resulted from the noted-blows to the back of the head?

How long would it take before an Arachnoid Brain Cyst would manifest itself to the degree were it would surface outwardly Signs and Symptoms?

What all could a patient experience having compression on the cerebellum due to the large size of this cyst?

[danak17]

I too have a posterior fossa arachnoid cyst. I have experienced some of the symptoms who are having. Please contact me at ***@**** if you have any further questions. The buzzing feeling when I lay down or sit for too long drives me nuts. Good luck.

[Firedogs]

To the Neurologist:  Had Brain Scan just days after the incident and absolutely nothing was there.  So, it appears this is not congenital.

I get the most horrible headaches, visual and hearing difficulty at times, loss of balance and dizziness at times, memory not so good, and feel that although I move around doing household duties my muscles seem not to be what they use to be.  Further, at times, I feel like shocking and/or pain at small sites within the arms and chest muscles.  Moreover, my body feels like it is vibrating when laying down...something like those coin operated vibrating beds in older motels.

[CCF-Neuro-M.D.-PW]

Most arachnoid brain cysts are congenital and are present throughout your life. Most are incidental findings on brain scan deon for other purposed such as head trauma. Cysts will usually just recollect unless the whole lining of the cyst is removed, a very tricky and messy operation.
They can slowly expand over years and cause symptoms depending on where they are.
If next to the cerebellum potential symptoms over time might include unsteady walking, or sitting, tremors, weakness, or bouncy vision. They should be monitored periodically as too much pressure in this area can cause hydrocephalus (trapping of spinal fluid in the brain), causing headaches, vision problems, and potential brain damage. Luckily however they grow very slowly if at all

Good luck