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Neurology  (Expert Forum)
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enlarged cisterna magna / prominent posterior fossa cisterns
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enlarged cisterna magna / prominent posterior fossa cisterns

by spyderette, Nov 09, 2003 12:00AM
Hello,

My name is Tanya Graham, over the past 4 - 5 months I have been experiencing ongoing symptoms which include headaches, dizziness, ringing in my ears, noise sensitivity and changes in my personality.  Eight years ago I suffered from benign intracranial hypertension and thought that this might be a re-occurence of this.  My specialist did a lumbar puncture which showed levels at 28.  He took some fluid off and put me on ridaq.  It has been a few more months now and the symptoms have not gone away.  Last week I went to see a neurologist and he sent me for a CT Scan (after examining me).  My scan report reads as follows:
------------------------------------

Very prominent cisterna magna / superior cerebellar cistern.  No associated mass effect.  No solid lesion.  Normal ventricular morphology.  No midline shift above or below the tent.  Prominent posterior fossa cisterns.
-------------------------------------

I went back to the neurologist, who said that he thinks the enlarged cistern / cyst like area (in my poor attempt at repeating him) might be the cause of my problems??  (on the scan they show up like a black cloud at the back of an otherwise all clear area)

Please can you comment on that report and advise.

thanks,
Tanya

by CCF-Neuro-M.D.-CS, Nov 11, 2003 12:00AM
The cisterna magna is the space around the cerebellum which the spinal fluid flows through. They do not mention cerebellar atrophy (thinning of the cerebellum) which could make the space appear large. Therefore, if this was your first scan you most likely had this your entire life. However, they do not describe a cyst in this area. If there is a cyst pushing on the cerebellum, this could cause dizziness, balance, and visual problems. A MRI scan may be helpful to visualize this area better. Good luck
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