cyst

[chupa]

I just noticed a bump on the base of my skull.  I went to my primary doctor and he thought it felt "cystic" -- I feel fine -- There is a lot of scary information about brain cyst.  Could this just be a simple cyst?  What type of questions should I ask the specialist?

[CCF-Neuro-M.D.-CS]

With the limited information provided, I can not provide a specific diagnosis. I am not sure what literature you have been reading, but based on your description this cyst is not in the brain. An imaging study of the area may help to define what structures are involved. I would recommend asking the specialist what the cyst is and what is the prognosis. Without more information, this is as specific as I can be. Sorry I could not be of more help.

[mellowmeanderer]

hey cysts can be gnarly creations.  there are all kinds too.  you may have any kind of brain injury.  if you are hurting, and even if it seems benign, I definetely suggest an MRI.  I had an accident where I was hit hard in the back of my head; I was not knocked unconcious, but I was out of it and it kind of hurt.  Dr.s wanted to tell me it was a minor concussion (which you should definetly make a point to not sweat or exert yourself for at least 2 weeks if that is the case because exertion can worsen the concussion) but anyway so I had a CAT Scan done about 5 days after and the doctor told me, "Oh you'll be fine, here's an anti-dizzy pill Rx, the pills may make you drowsy," you'll be fine.  Okay so I'll be drowsy, that makes sense, sure; I wasn't feeling "improved," and a week later (2 weeks after the accident) my head had slowly filled up with fluid (which turned out to be spinal fluid, not blood - you know, the doctors don't really know sometimes whether it's spinal fluid or blood until it's sesame open time - and was compacting my brain and I went to the emergency room and they gave me steroids and all kind of terrible stuff to see if they could decrease the pressure in my head and this and that; and I have a cyst which the first doctor didn't even see with that first CAT Scan I took you know?  I'm still trying to figure out whether the cyst is related to all of this or not, every doctor speculated differently, I hope I'm not confusing you more.  So 3 weeks after my accident which was the day after last Thanksgiving, I have a shunt put in my head, in the subderal (the area surrounding the brain beneath the skull) area because my veins & nerves weren't pumping like they were supposed to and the excess fluid had to be removed. (I wish I had sound effects, it'd be "Duhn, Duhn, Duhn").  The story could definetely go on, I've learned so much and grown, but you should really go to a specialist and get a thorough brain check, I suggest 2 opinions from Neurosurgeons and/or Neurologists (some are both - opt for them), and watch out for the Neurosurgeons because they think that they can cure everything with surgery.  But your primary care physician, he may not know what's going on, you are the only one who knows your body, every case is different, and don't worry much because what happened to me is like winning the lottery.  It's just, this is your head, take it seriously and I say never put all your faith in one person who says he knows exactly what's going on, but do remember, these brain guys do know alot.  Eastern medicine is thrown out the windows at hospitals, and I beleive that both have their benefits.  Anyways, goodluck, and if you're in Hawaii, NYC, or DC/Maryland/Baltimore I could give you a few names.  You don't need me to say good luck, you've already taken the first step to asking outside the box.
Peace, Jane