arachnoid cyst in cisterna magna

Our 23-year-old son has been diagnosed with an arachnoid cyst in the cisterna magna.  Can you explain a bit more about this?

[ianosv]

what are his symptoms and how large is the cyst?

[lortonbill]

Not sure how large it is....his main symptoms are headache and losing time.

[Godofredo MD]

Hi.

The cisterna magna is a space between the cerebellum and the medulla which allows for drainage of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).

Arachnoid cysts are sacs filled with CSF located between the arachnoid membrane and the brain or spinal cord. They can be primary or secondary depending on their etiology.

Symptoms of brain arachnoid cysts may include headache, nausea and vomiting, seizures, hearing and visual disturbances, vertigo, and difficulties with balance and walking.

You should talk to your son's neurologist for possible treatment options.

[brainmate]

It is very difficult to distinguish a mega cisterna magna from an arachnoid cyst within. The only way is to inject some non ionized iodine contrast either in the spine or in the brain cavities: an arachnoid cyst will not let the dye in. Once proved present the cyst can be opened inside the fluid sistem of the brain by endoscopic means or shunted to the peritoneum .

[Karlehowie]

My son who is 12 today* has been having headaches,ear pain,hearing    rbances,nausea,vomiting,dizziness.........after several months of doctor visits and one night him yelling for me to come to his room because vhis head felt funny and he couldnt focus on me I took him to ER where the CT Scan showed a cisterna magna cyst......we go in 2 days for an MRI...can you tell me what to expect from here on???? Thanx Karlhowie