arachnoid cyst

hi my son 12 years old just been diagnose with a arachnoid cyst in the posterior fossa in the region of the internal accipital protuberance with no mass efeccts, i am very scare about this i just been raeding a few stories and make me think a lot, he is a very good boy and he is doing good at school, but about 6 months ago he start complaining about headaches the doctor suggest to do CT scan and thats where it was found
please let me know how tihs cyst will affect his life
tomorrow i will make an appointment at the Weastmead  Children hospital in the neuro surgey centre what i can wait for any more answers
Thanks
Luis

[Christopher R Newey, DO]

Thanks for using the forum. I am happy to address your questions, and my answer will be based on the information you provided here. Please make sure you recognize that this forum is for educational purposes only, and it does not substitute for a formal office visit with a doctor.

Without the ability to examine and obtain a history, I can not tell you what the exact cause of the symptoms is. However I will try to provide you with some useful information.

The symptoms of arachnoid cysts vary depending on their size and location. Most are present since birth. Most people do not have any symptoms or problems. In most people, they are discovered incidentally. Care should be taken when attributing the patient's symptoms to the presence of the cyst. Symptoms that may be caused by arachnoid cysts (depending on their location and size) may include seizures, psychiatric problems,and headaches. Complications from cysts including bleeding (subdural bleeding), but this is rare.

Some cysts resolve spontaneously, but most arachnoid cysts remain the same size or increase in size only slightly in adulthood, and others fluctuate over time. In general, asymptomatic arachnoid cysts identified incidentally probably should be left alone.

Were you able to follow up with neurosurgery? What were their thoughts?

Thank you for this opportunity to answer your questions, I hope you find the information I have provided useful, good luck.