brain cyst in 11 yr old son

My son was in a car accident on his fourth birthday and had stitches placed above his right eye. According to the doctors he had several layers of skin that needed to be stitched.  Nevertheless, shortly there after he began to experience severe migrains that would cause him to cry intensely and lasted for hours on end. They slowly began to lessen in frequency going from 5-8 times a month from the age of 5 to 8 to approximately 1-3 a month from the ages from 8 on. For about 6 months now he has had dramatic behavioral changes from aggressiveness to mood swings. He has always been a head strong child in knowing what he wants however never to the point where he would not think of the other person and appear to intentionally hurt other people for no reason other than to get what he wants. He has showed increased anger and appears to not care about who/what he hurts (usually mentally or emotionally). He has never been this way in the past and I thought perhaps it was just hormones or the change from elementary school to middle school. However, while at sixth grade camp he had an episode that has yet to be explained. He has no memory of the events that happened with in a 20 minute time frame. However, the accounts are that he was acting strangely appearing to be disoriented and having loss of balance. Some class mates helped him to get back to the cabin where he subsequently fainted.  His pediatrician thinks that it may be psychomotor seizures and has scheduled him for an MRI, EEG and Catscan in addition to referring him to a pediatric neurologist. I just received a call from her tonight that he has a cyst in his right side of his brain. She also stated that she has not been able to get a hold of a neurologist for recommendation but that she is sending him for a second MRI (a more thorough one).  My question is, is any of this related? What is a cyst in the brain and can it be the cause of seizures?
What should we be doing on our end to make sure that nothing goes unnoticed and to get to the bottom of the problem. He has an appointment with a pediatric neurologist a month from now but I am  stressed trying to understand everything.  I also wanted to mention that he has had about 3 episodes at night where he wakes up terrified appearing to be awake but not knowing who we are or where he is and has been known to sleep walk. It often takes us from 5-10 minutes to calm him down and he wakes appearing to not know what happened or scared.

[JainMD]

Hi Mommy dear,
Yes it indeed the cyst in brain and his recent events of seizures, abnormal behaviour and his previous events of headaches might all be related to this particular cyst.
Cysts are fluid-filled sacs that are located in the brain or spinal cord.
Patients usually are asymptomatic even if the cyst is quite large. MRI is the diagnostic procedure of choice.
Any signs suggestive of raised intra-cranial tension like vomiting, headache, visual disturbances, irritability in your child should alert patients care taker to visit a neurologist at earliest.
Patients usually are asymptomatic even if the cyst is quite large.
Fully Endoscopic Resection of Intracranial Symptomatic Cysts can be performed. Other operative procedures for treatment of cysts include stereotactic cyst aspiration, cysto-cisternostomy and ventriculocystostomy.
Ventriculo-peritoneal shunt is another option for treatment.
I think first is to consult a pediatric neurologist at earliest and get imaging study done to find out the size of cyst.
Serial monitoring of cyst is important.
I think you should be visiting your nearest ER if possible if similar episodes recur.
Keep me informed.
Bye.

[queenmommy23]

Thank you so much for your time and consideration in this matter.  I heard from the doctor today who stated that they were going to go ahead with a more intricate MRI.  However, I am still at a loss for words and his appointment is not until March. Is this a very serious problem? Last night my son had an outburst that appeared a lack of impulse control. He was so upset and ripped his homework in a folder to pieces while slapping my hands and screaming. He was angry that he thought I was going to look at his stuff however I am not the kind of parent that would ever do that nor is he the kind of child that will rip his own homework to pieces. The interesting part of all of this was that one second he was screaming and ranting and raving all over his room and next second he was saying I don't know why I did that something must be wrong with me. It was the scariest thing that I have ever seen and at one point my husband had to hold him down because of how he was acting.  After questioning him about it he told me that it was like he could not stop and did not know why he did any of that.  I do not know what I should be looking for and what could the cause of all of this.  Should I be keeping records of the episodes and what are symptoms of this condition? When should I be worried? He's changing daily before my eyes and I feel like everyone is treating it like it is nothing that serious. Please help ease my mind and the overall situation.

[nursemom2]

I came on to post a question and saw yours.  I am not a doctor just a nurse mom.  My son had a brain abcess (abscess) (different than a cyst) a couple of years ago when he was 16.  His problem was located on the frontal part of the brain.  The healthcare professionals did tell us that in the male adolescent with this issue, it would not be unusual to see behavioral changes such as anger, frustration, and inappropriate behavior like foul language and aggression.  Remember you are the best advocate for your son - be forceful and get the help and medical attention that you need no matter what it takes!!!.  I wish you and your family the best of luck.  

[nursemom2]

Just wanted to add to my previous comment - depending on the location of his problem you may be right on in feeling as though this is directly related to your sons behavior.  Get that next MRI done asap - if you are concerned and things seem to be escalating don't let things be put off.  It is best to go with your instinct.