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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I believe in going with the best of the best. This is a very rare problem that many doctors, even some neurosurgeons do not believe is a problem for people. Primarily because arachnoid cysts are considered to be a non-symptomatic anomaly. There are a couple of places that I would recommend seeking help from, one is Dr. Ben Carson in Bbaltimore, Dr. Spetzler, or one of his partners if he does not deal with pediatrics, at Barrow's Neurological Institute in Phoenix, AZ, or a pediatric neurosurgeon at Duke Hospital in North Carolina. It is worth the travel to get a good neurosurgeon, one who not only knows how to treat arachnoid cysts, but one who "believes" in you and your son. I had to travel to Phoenix, to Barrow's Neurological Institute from Albuquerque, 8 hours each way, to get my surgeries and be hospitalized for my sagging brain and Chiari. I may myself have to travel to New York from North Carolina for a surgeon who deals with Chiari, and to have surgery for it this coming year. I will travel to get a good doctor, one who believes me and in my case. Let me know if I can be of any other assistance.
You have to believe that something is wrong with your son if there is. Other people, including doctors may not, but if you know something isn't right, and he's been diagnosed with a cyst, you have to be able to believe that he needs treatment. I got a lot of the same treatment from doctors tellng me that my problems were not the result of my cyst, and I did not believe them. I knew it was. When I had Dr. Spetzler at Barrow's in Phoenix review my films, etc., he confirmed they were related. It sometimes takes going through several doctors to find the one who knows, understands these cysts, and believes you.
Good luck,
August 27, 2009 - 1:10pmMaria
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i'm personaly had two operation for a this type of cyst; one at the age of 11 and revently a the age of 35.
August 22, 2009 - 1:53pmboth operation where succussful, however the second had the advantage of time. By which i mean brain surgery has developed to a far greater degree and with the use of MRI position and miniture lasers its a far safer procedure than ever.
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My 13 year old son has just been advised that he has this condition I have so many questions and truly find very little on this site could you e-mail me
December 1, 2009 - 11:24amThis Comment
Our son is 8 years old now. He was diagnosed almost March will be one year ago. He has been on medication for the seizures since June. Doing great let me add. Really great. Now night seizures since July... He has gained a bit of weight but hey... he was vomiting so much how could he have before. Our signs were vomiting at night, headaches during the day, some memory loss. It was by accident we found out, he was in the ER for a strep test and had an episode the night before so the ER doctor was interested and done a CT scan. Keep your head up and know doctors have a really good handle on this kind of diagnosis. I don't know where you live, but we go to Duke in North Carolina. His cyst is on his left temporal lobe.
January 12, 2010 - 8:22pmThis Comment
Which doctor does your son see at Duke?
Thanks much.
July 20, 2012 - 5:50pmThis Comment
Hi Diane - I'm sorry to hear about your son, and understand your need for information. I've removed your personal email address from your post as the purpose of this site is to discuss and share information with each other. If you'd like to submit an "ASK" with your questions we would be happy to do research for you. In addition, by submitting your questions as a separate ASK, instead of one within another topic, you're more likely to get responses from others.
December 1, 2009 - 5:16pmThanks for writing, and I hope we hear from you again.
Take good care,
Pat
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It's amazing what they can do today. I hope yours were successful. I had to have a shunt put in after my surgery and the shunt over drained for 6 months which left me with a sagging brain and a chiari malformatio (brain herniates into the spine). So I still have problems and am facing another potential brain surgery in the future to correct the chiari, with hopes that it does not make the sagging worse. Where was your cyst? Did they remove it or do you still have it? How are you today?
Thanks for your feedback,
August 24, 2009 - 7:27pmMaria
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Hi
I thought I would just update you, current I’m nearly four months after surgery and have been back to work, as a web programmer, for nearly two months. I would have been back to work earlier, and in fact I was back after a month. However, this only lasted a week until I got complication; Chemical meningitis possible aggravated by an infection, this cleared up after a stay in hospital.
Thought I did catch an infection for my local hospital, before I was transferred to the specialist hospital in London; the National. This secondary infection has cleared up, eventually; after a case of thrombosis thought. Right now my third nerve palsy is improving, especially in the last couple of week. Of course it’s never that simple, as I now have to cope as my brain returning to a more normal state, and at a quicker rate; which is traumatic in it’s self.
My future is uncertain as I’m not sure, however I will ask if I can be referred to a neuro-physiologist when I next see my specialist. But the point is I survived and I still recovered very quickly; it’s unlikely I be 100%, but then again I never was so It all up hill from now.
Anyway I hope all goes well for you and just remember the best route to recovery is to stay positive and active; being fit helped my cope with the surgery.
November 18, 2009 - 3:21pmThis Comment
My 5 yr old son has a aracnoid cyst pushing in his brain stem. In 2010 it was 10mm now it's 20mm. Dr. wants to cut it off. My son is alraedy special needs. Blind, cp, hydrocephilus..... Is this cyst somethin that should be takin off now??? I'd loooove to talk to others who have been through this. How the surgery goes, out come..... So many questions. i am burdened but I know Jesus knows. Thanks!
May 9, 2012 - 6:23pmThis Comment
Hi Anon - Thanks for getting in touch again and providing this update. It's good to know you're back at work and moving forward in your recovery. I love your attitude and that you're taking the time to inspire others. Best wishes to you, and please stay in touch.
November 18, 2009 - 6:52pmTake good care,
Pat
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