Archnoid Cyst or Syringomyelia?

[Wolfen]

I have a cyst in my spinal column that is from T-4 to T-10 and is 5mm in width at T-4. I have seen 2 neurosurgeons, they have used the terms archnoid cyst and syringomyelia. Niether doctor would even discuss surgery. I have severe pain in my midback and legs and loss of feeling in my feet.  In fact, all they told me was not to do anything strenuous and no lifting and hopefully the cyst will not get any larger and only if it was to paralyse me would they consider surgery. I have not been able to find any information on cyst in this area of the spine. Is there anything that can be done?

[sophie02]

A related discussion, chiari malformation/bent brain stem was started.

[mander523]

A related discussion, arachnoid cyst was started.

[dreamwalker]

I am a 51 year old female.  For 4 years I have had tingling, burning pain in my feet, legs and groin area.  Also, weekness of legs and feet. All Tests came out normal except for a piece of nerve that was taken out of my left foot that showed I had something attacking my nerves but they still didn't know what it was.  So I was diagnoised with Peripheral Neuropathy and was put on all kinds of pain meds for 4 years.  Then pain management attempted nerve blocks twice, didn't work.  However, a second MRI was done, (the first one was done 4 years ago) that showed and archnoids Cyst that covered t4 through t7.  For some reason, my neurologist never mentioned the cyst when it was first noticed 4 years ago.  A mileogram was done, and on May 21st my neurosugeron did surgery to remove the cyst.  They also found at the bottom of the cyst a white fatty material which was also compressing on the spine.  I am now healing.  Back and neck are sore but tingling and burning are gone out of my feet, legs and groin. However, have noticed I still have some weakness left in legs and at times it feels like tingling wants to come back back but can't quite do it.  Is this because the damage was done before the cyst had been addressed?  

Thanks for any help you can give.

[lancegatlin2002]

Hello,

I have a Syrinx that is located at c3-c5 and I was wanting to know what is the best thing to do with it. I am 20 years old and I have head aches EVERY day of my life. I am starting to have tingling in my pinkie and ring finger. I have gone to one doctor that told me that I need to let it get bigger before removing it but I want it to be gone now , is there a size it should be before it can be removed?  I am starting nursing school in August and I have to have some help with this pain. Please email me at ***@**** if you have any information !!!

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

I want to clarify some terms first. There is a fluid filled space in the center of the spinal cord, which is normal. If this space enlarges it is called hydromyelia. If fluid collects within the cord, but outside this space it is called syringomyelia. An arachnoid cyst is a fluid collection that is surrounded by the normal coverings of the spine, the arachnoid coverings. This space may or may not communicate with the other fluid around it.

Regarding syringomyelia, structural lesions, causing compression of the cord and abnormal fluid movement, needs to be excluded. If there is no obvious cause to fix, then a decision to treat the synringomyelia is made based on clinical grounds. However the surgical treatment for this involves either placing a drain into the space, or cutting the tissue around the space so that it may drain. As you can imagine, the spinal cord is a very small strucutre with many important pathways, and therefore there are risks associated with surgery. Without examining you and reviewing the studies, I cannot give you an answer as to whether surgery is recommended or not. It would be reasonable to obtain another opinion, but I would recommend going to a large academic center to see a neurosurgeon who specializes in spinal disorders. Good luck. Sorry for the delay.

[Kortel1211]

Wow! Another "freak"like me!! (No disrespect meant...just amazement)
Mine goes from T7-8 though to L2. Arachnoid and syringomyelia. The arachnoid has split the upper portion of my spinal cord and has pressure eroded some verterbraes.
I've been told, (after 2 years of tests) that they could TRY to fix it but I'll come out with more chronic pain than I have now, more numbness but hopefully...a stopin the progression to full paralysis. I have lost sensation in my right leg and hip. I limp. The leg is atrohpying. I also have neurogenic bowel and bladder...no sexual sensations at all. Thats all from the Guru of SM doctors in NYC...The Chiari Institute. NIH in Bethesda won't give me too much info other than as part of the study, I MUST have a CT Myelogram to participate...something my neuro here in NY said was a no-nofor arachnoid cysts.
I take 3000 mgs of neurontin a day, occaisionally Fentanyl lollipops when the pain ia horrible and Ambien to sleep. I'm holding off on all surgery right now.
PLEASE WRITE TO ME IN PRIVATE ***@****. We need to talk.