What is a retention cyst of the sphenoid sinus?

[NicoleJ]

Can someone explain this to me?  I've done some research but I'm not sure that I fully understand.  Is it serious?  My neuro never brought this finding attention. I have the full detailed report from CDI.

[snowpenguintean]

I have been diagnosed having panthetonase kinase associated with neurodegeneration disease  also found in the MRI scan an incidental mucous retention cyst in the right sphenoid area. can you explain to me what this means ? i had bolts of bad headache attack very frequently which can cause numbness from the shoulder to the head. Has this anything to do with the retention cyst ?

[Tabmarston]

Whatever became of  this? Hope you’re well, I’ve got the same

[Abhijeet Deshmukh, MD]

Hello.

You can read some information about the retention cyst on http://www.urmc.rochester.edu/smd/rad/neurocases/Neurocase110.htm

The case described here may not be like your, but they have attempted to describe the retention cyst. A particularly important extract of it is "....A retention cyst forms when a mucous gland of the sinus mucosa becomes obstructed. Its walls are thus defined by the epithelium of a mucous gland and duct itself, not by the walls of the sinus. There is almost always air still surrounding the retention cyst, and bony expansion and remodeling of the sinus does not often occur. They are .........incidental findings in at least 10% of people."

In your case, the sphenoid sinus cyst may not be clinically significant. At the same time, these cysts are known to bring on headache.

You may discuss about the significance of the cyst with your neurologist once.

Regards