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Neurology (Expert Forum)
Arachnoid cyst (post-surgery)
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Arachnoid cyst (post-surgery)
by kathylew, May 23, 2002 12:00AM
My husband had endoscopic fenestration
> of a large temporal arachnoid cyst last Friday (5/10).
> Following surgery, he developed a fever which, at one
> point, was 103 degrees. Also, he suffered from severe
> headache pain. He was released from the hospital on
> 5/14...at that time, his fever had broken. By 5/17,
> his headaches were so severe that he was readmitted to
> the hospital and put on a morphine drip + ketorolac to
> control the headaches. A CT scan was performed, and
> the surgeon said the cyst had not really changed much
> since surgery. He tried to aspirate some fluid via
> fluoroscopy but only retrieved some non-clotting
> blood, which was submitted for culture. I assume the
> culture was negative because it was not mentioned
> again. Anyway, my husband was again released from the
> hospital yesterday (5/20) and sent home with Lorcet
> and ketorolac. His headache has returned with a
> vengeance today (5/21). My question is: IS THIS
> NORMAL??? Also, how long should we expect this to go
> on? We are supposed to return to the neurosurgeon on
> 5/28 for an MRI, but I don't know if he (or I) can
> survive until then! The surgeon says he wants to avoid
> putting in a shunt at all costs, but I don't know what
> else to do...he is a non-functional person at this point!
> of a large temporal arachnoid cyst last Friday (5/10).
> Following surgery, he developed a fever which, at one
> point, was 103 degrees. Also, he suffered from severe
> headache pain. He was released from the hospital on
> 5/14...at that time, his fever had broken. By 5/17,
> his headaches were so severe that he was readmitted to
> the hospital and put on a morphine drip + ketorolac to
> control the headaches. A CT scan was performed, and
> the surgeon said the cyst had not really changed much
> since surgery. He tried to aspirate some fluid via
> fluoroscopy but only retrieved some non-clotting
> blood, which was submitted for culture. I assume the
> culture was negative because it was not mentioned
> again. Anyway, my husband was again released from the
> hospital yesterday (5/20) and sent home with Lorcet
> and ketorolac. His headache has returned with a
> vengeance today (5/21). My question is: IS THIS
> NORMAL??? Also, how long should we expect this to go
> on? We are supposed to return to the neurosurgeon on
> 5/28 for an MRI, but I don't know if he (or I) can
> survive until then! The surgeon says he wants to avoid
> putting in a shunt at all costs, but I don't know what
> else to do...he is a non-functional person at this point!
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-Neuro-M.D.-JT, May 23, 2002 12:00AM
The severe headache is concerning and does not sound like a normal postop occurrence. Infection is a concern as is a possible complication with the cyst itself (especially because nothing could be aspirated at the followup visit). An MRI is the right way to go, but you may consider trying to get everything done before the holiday weekend or consider a second opinion if you can get it soon. Good luck.
