Pineal cysts and bowel/bladder problems

[professor_of_surf]

I read that Pineal cysts can cause hydrocephalus and eventually bowel and bladder problems. How can a pineal cyst affect the bowel/bladder?

I had a MRI done 2 years ago after complaining of electric shock sensations in the brain. A pineal cyst was found. (1.2 x 0.8 cm circumscribed structure in pineal region. This is isointense to cerebrospinal fluid on T2 and slightly hyperintense to cerebrospinal fluild on T1 and FLAIR. This is likely to represent a pineal cyst with proteinaceous content).

A neurologist

[Caliber2005]

Hi,
How are you feeling now?
Pineal Gland cyst is benign cyst, present in pineal gland of brain. It is located in midline and close to the course of optic nerve. It does not cause symptoms unless and until it is large in size and cause pressure symptoms.
There could be Pressure symptoms like headache, vomiting, irritability, double vision or vision impairment (due to its closeness to optic nerve) among others.
If any of such symptoms develop, then it is a concern to see neurologist at earliest.
Serial monitoring of size of pineal gland cyst is important by doing periodic MRI with other possible symptomatology.
Any surgery is indicated only if there is increase in size and also there are symptoms due to raised pressure in brain like vomiting, irritability, seizures, headache, eye pain, double vision etc.
Size of the cyst here is too small to cause any pressure symptoms. Your concern regarding bowel/bladder symptoms, I think you should meet orthopaedician to rule out any lower back issue as the nerve supply for bladder and bowel arise from here.
I think you should follow advice your physician and consult neurologist at earliest.
Bye.