Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

enlarged cisterna magna / prominent posterior fossa cisterns

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
7 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
Avatar universal
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
Helpful - 1
Avatar universal
A related discussion, Mega magna cysterna,Empty Sella and Memory Loss was started.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
A related discussion, what is mega cisterna magna was started.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
A related discussion, cisterna  magana was started.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
A related discussion, cistern maga and arachnoid cyst was started.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
A related discussion, Cisterna magna was started.
Helpful - 0
523063 tn?1213731361
A related discussion, cisterna magna was started.
Helpful - 0

You are reading content posted in the Neurology Forum

Popular Resources
Find out how beta-blocker eye drops show promising results for acute migraine relief.
In this special Missouri Medicine report, doctors examine advances in diagnosis and treatment of this devastating and costly neurodegenerative disease.
Here are 12 simple – and fun! – ways to boost your brainpower.
Discover some of the causes of dizziness and how to treat it.
Discover the common causes of headaches and how to treat headache pain.
Two of the largest studies on Alzheimer’s have yielded new clues about the disease