An arachnoid cyst is a fluid filled sac that develops primarily in the uterus during the development of the brain and skull. The arachnoid membrane of the brain splits, and the split space fills with fluid known as cerebral spinal fluid. The fluid will enter the split area, but it cannot escape at the same rate as it enters. Because of this, the cyst will grow over time. The growth rate depends on many factors, but even as it grows, more times than not, the cyst will remain asymptomatic. This means that generally, an arachnoid cyst will not cause any symptoms.
Arachnoid cysts can grow anywhere on the brain with the primary areas being the side of the brain, and the top of the brain. When a cyst forms on the back of the brain, this is called a posterior fossa arachnoid cyst. A posterior fossa arachnoid cyst can create pressure on the brain stem and the cerebellum. These are extremely vital organs of the brain and they both produce tremendous functions that are required to live.
The brain stem controls a lot of our everyday functions that we do not even think about. One thing it controls is our body temperature. It controls our diaphragm for breathing, and it is where our hunger and thirst are controlled. It is also the path in which all our nerves leave the brain and travel throughout the body. The brain stem controls our pain, it is also where the nausea center is based, and it plays a role in the regulation of our hearts.
The cerebellum; on the other hand, helps control our balance. It plays a role in the reflex of our muscles, and plays a major role in our motor skills. Both parts of the brain have their very specific tasks, and when either one is compromised, it can reek havoc on the entire body.
If treatment is needed for an arachnoid cyst, usually the first choice is a fenestration of the cyst. This means going into the brain with a wand and opening up any walls that may have formed inside the cyst. These walls trap the fluid inside the cyst. The idea of this procedure is to get all the cerebral spinal fluid flowing in and out of the cyst efficiently so that the cyst does not continue to grow. If this procedure does not work, a neurosurgeon may decide to put a shunt in. A shunt helps to keep the cyst draining and not allow fluid to build up inside. If the cyst is small enough and in a space on the brain that is not too dangerous to remove, the neurosurgeon may be able to remove it altogether.
Symptoms can show themselves in many ways; from balance problems, nausea, vomiting, headaches, even seizures. Many cysts are discovered on accident when having a scan for another reason. They can be seen on Cat Scan, but the preferred diagnostic test for a brain cyst, is an MRI.
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Add a Comment280 Comments
Hi,
So sorry to hear about your diagnosis. I know the feeling when you first find out about having a brain cyst. It's been 10 years and I still remember how lost and confused about everything, I was . Mine has caused a huge disruption to my life as well - in many, many ways. Most recently, this past summer, it was discovered my cerebral spinal fluid was so low - almost bottomed-out, and was causing horrific symptoms. I had to go through multiple spinal taps over this past summer and a shunt clamping due to the discovery that my shunt valve was faulty and leaking. They also discovered I didn't even really need the shunt anymore and they don't know for how long it had been that I didn't need it. Anyways, the bottom line is that it made me very ill and caused a lot of added neurological problems to the point where I had to move in with family - being unable to live on my own right now. My 2 boys (16 and 13) moved down to Atlanta (we were all in NC) and are with him fulltime now until I can get better and hopefully join them there one day. Am hoping the beginning of the year.
With my cyst there were no issues in fenestrating it. I don't think I ever had problems with scar tissue. It's amazing how different each of them is and the different problems and symptoms that can develop due to each one. I have always thought that I wished there were more known about brain cysts...that neurosurgeons had better answers on how to treat them etc. There seems to be so many different opinions and plans of actions with threating them, with different neurosurgeons.
I'm sure if you've seen my book online, "It's All in Your Head," but it tells the story of my journey with my Arachnoid cyst. I just had another lady contact me yesterday about ordering it for her son-in-law who has been battling with an Arachnoid cyst. It's available through Barnes and Noble and Amazon etc. You may find some similarities in our cases.
Keep me informed. If there is anything I can ever answer for you or help you with, let me know. Wishing you all the best in getting the best treatment and outcome with your brain cyst.
Blessings -
Maria McCutchen
October 19, 2014 - 4:14amThis Comment
Thanks again we also have had lots of appointments his coordination is good but we are scheduled with eye dr , Pulmonary, EEG, another sleep study, behavioral medicine , I want the head checked and we go back in February to redo MRI can these things go away dUring childhood I just want hope I want to help my son he does have headaches but they are speratic for now. He does get dizzy from time to time but if it grows any at all by February which makes 6mo from last MRI we're going out of state I want the best pediatric nuro-sure on I can get :(
September 9, 2014 - 10:01amThis Comment
It sounds like you are covering all bases here. Monitoring is the best thing to do. It is the only way to see any changes and if the cyst is growing. I have never heard of a brain cyst going away on its own, and was told they don't typically. But I just don't know. If they are septated (walls of tissue built up inside), then that is how they can grow. The CSF fluid can make its way into the cyst, but gets trapped and unable to get back out and that is how they grow.
I started out with dizziness too, in the early stages of symptoms developing and the headaches were sporadic. It would feel like a "burning" type of headache...not a regular headache. Like pressure from the inside of my head pushing on the inside of my skull. Maybe you could try to get your son to describe things to you when they happen. Help him learn to verbalize what he feels. It really helps doctors to have a good description of what someone "feels."
The neurosurgeon I saw in Phoenix was Dr. Robert Spetzler at Barrows Neurological Institute. If you ever just want him to review his case, you can call his office and for a fee of $100.00, he'll review everything....latest MRI and other records and tests. He knew right away that my cyst was under pressure and I needed to have it fenestrated.....which you probably remember from reading my story.
Good luck and do keep in touch!
September 10, 2014 - 4:44amThis Comment
My 14 yr old son just had a pineal cyst removed and an arachnoid cyst was discovered and fenestrated. We are very happy with our Neurosurgeon, his team, and facility. We live in MI and are more than happy to continue our care in TX as we were treated extremely well. This is a great webinar by Dr Dong Kim. Feel free to discuss our experience with us!
September 7, 2014 - 2:55pmhttps://memorialhermann.adobeconnect.com/_a976765836/p6tcaue0xgc/?launcher=false&fcsContent=true&pbMode=normal
This Comment
My nephew is 10 and has a posterior Fossa Arachnoid Cyst, my sister said the doctor said hes gonna live with it, there not getting rid of it, could anything really bad happen from that?!?!!?
September 5, 2014 - 2:30pmThis Comment
I am 29 years old and was diagnosed with an arachnoid cyst of the posterior fossa 2 months ago after having an "aura" with a migraine for 3weeks. My doctor ordered an MRI of the brain and found this. However he has said that these intense migraines are not related???? I also suffer from seizures for the past 12 years that have become as regular a 1 a week. I am still waiting to see a neurologist and my doctor has put me on medication to prevent migraines (although it does not seem to help). I have also had a lot of problems with loss of function in my arms and legs, also problems with sight, balance, weight gain due to nausea and speech impairment.
I am not sure where to go from here as my father had 3 strokes in a week n has had a lot of similar medical problems since 35 and my grandmother passed away in her early 30s from something in/on the brain (hard to find out for sure as grandfather has passed and not many details ever discussed whilst he was alive).
Please Help!!!!
June 20, 2013 - 9:38pmThis Comment
Hello,
Hearing all these stories makes me thank God that my son's experience with an arachnoid cyst has turned out well. Although hearing these stories makes me hope that in the future he is going to be alright. He was diagnosed with a posterior fossa arachnoid cyst in September of 2010 at our local ER. He had become symptomatic at the same time his freshman year of football started. Our family practitioner originally treated him for concussion but the headaches got worse and that is what led me to bring him to the emergency room where they did an MRI. I was referred to a pediatric neurosurgeon in Providence, RI and surgery was scheduled for December 8, 2010. It was a seven hour surgery he spent 14 hours in the ICU and was released two days later. He was fourteen then and handled it like a trooper. He has an occasional headache but otherwise a normal 16 year old now. He made the varsity baseball team in his sophomore year. The doctor said he is even well enough to play football but I have discouraged that. He recently had an MRI this past December and all is looking well. The only way you would know he has had any problems is the scar that runs down the back of his head. My son has been blessed up until this time and hopefully his good health continues. I wish everyone the best.
Sincerely,
Mary Ann
April 7, 2013 - 10:22amThis Comment
I pray he continues to have good health as well. It does sound like he has been blessed, and I too, pray that continues. You still may want to read my book, "It's all in Your Head." You may find that it helps you to recognize certain things, as well as to know what you should do and not do when it comes to seeing drs. Have had a lot of people tell me it rerally helped them. Regardless, please just always be keen to anything that may change for him; symptoms that start etc.
I wish him all the best and pray for continued good results and health. What a blessing.
Sincerely,
Maria
June 1, 2013 - 10:16amThis Comment
I am so glad your son is doing good. I pray he continues to do just as well. Brain cysts are a tricky, brain anomaly that many doctors don't fully understand. They don't all, know enough about them to know what to do for them, about them, nor.....what they can cause or what is "normal" for them to do.
I pray for him that he continues to do well. You still may want to read my book "It's all in Your Head" so that, should aything change and he begins to exemplify similar issues as I did, you will know more of what to expect. I have gotten a lot of positive response to it. I hear that it helps others.
Take csre and God Blress!
Maria
June 1, 2013 - 7:47amThis Comment
By the way...you can also follow my blog at: www.arachnoidcystsupport.blogspot.com
Just thought I'd share it. I try to write posts that can benefit those living with the different brain conditions I live with....especially cysts.
Take care
April 7, 2013 - 10:51amThis Comment