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 have been having tremors (hands, legs, chest, feet) that occur occasionally; I also have lost some fine motor movement in my lef hnd, and my left foot is not reseacting normally when I walk, hitting the ground too early, causing me to walk awkwardly; and
May 6, 2011 - 2:13amrecently I have had a little nausea and blurring vision ( I may have inner ear problems too). Could the brain cyst I have on my left cerebellum be responsible for these symptoms, or is Parkinson's the only other alternative (I will have a PET scan in 2 weeks)?
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Hi Maria... thank you for your response. It was this website above where it says "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." along with another website on neural mediated hypeotension (which is caused by pressure on the nerves usually at the brainstem) that led me to this belief that it is all related to the cyst. I asked because as much reading as I have been doing on this of others symptoms, I haven't read anyone else saying they have this symptom. I do however see it written here and on that other site. I found the hypotension website by typing in key words low blood pressure, high pulse rate and from there on the information just kept pouring in. I kind of feel stupid as if I am diagnosing myself, but the doctors haven't been able to solve anything for me so I feel compelled. This is just surreal and on spot that finding this CT scan in my records and the more I read, the more I am convinced I am finally on track.
March 11, 2011 - 3:45amThis Comment
Hi,
I am sorry for the delay in replying to this but I agree with you. The brain controls/helps to control so many aspects of our body and in each system, that we do cannot know. When the brain does not operate and function properly, many other systems are affected.
I tell people on here, that no one should discount their cyst being related to other issues. Of course that may not always be the case, but there are certain tell-tell signs and symptoms that to me, tell me they are cyst related. I think that if someone believes their cyst may be the culprit in certain health issues, they need to have it looked into, and by more than one doctor if he does not agree. Many doctors believe these cysts are asymptomatic, and many are.....but that leaves many to be"symptomatic.' It took a lot of convincing with several doctors, then to find the right one who knew these cysts cause an array of problems and affect many systems of the body. He knew and he confirmed that I was right all along believeing that what I was living with was because of the cyst I had.
I hope you get your questions answered and get the help you need. Keep us updated.
Maria
April 16, 2011 - 4:30amThis Comment
Hi. Thank you for the website. I found this website a while back by complete fluke, and that fluke helped me figure some things out that have plagued me for a lifetime, but progressing severely since 2005. I had a progressive heart problem, with several diagnosis MPV, COPD, Atrial Tachycardia, and meds were not helping so much, and I was just getting sicker, so I went about my own search of symptoms on the internet and from one site to another, I somehow ended up here. When I read about this, I remembered that in 2005 I had a CT scan due to migraines which I always had leaving me with some visual problems. I was told then by the doctor not to worry about it, because other than the cyst it referenced an abnormality that this doctor said was severe retardation and I wasn't so it couldn't be. I listened and didn't follow up and forgot about it. After finding this site I searched through my medical records and I found it. I have a posterior fossa subarachnoid cyst with noted cavum septum pellucidum or agenosis of the corpus callosum. Since 2005 I have been going to cardiologists and doctors for various problems and find now that these doctors were trying to diagnose what now appears to be symptoms, realized from this article and a few others, I am thinking this must be the cause. Especially since the heart problems started just a few months after the visual problems which the CT scan was done for.
Is anyone else here having heart problems from this? I learned from another site that this can sit on the nerves and cause neurally mediated hypotension and the description of those symptoms are almost exactly what I have been going through plus and minus a few symptoms described . Sometimes my blood pressure drops severely for no specific reason, and had all the while growing up but not near as severe, and without presenting with these symptoms, my description of the symptoms always made them test me for low blood sugar or diabetes. I also have erratic change in my pulse rate, pretty much stuck laying down, with an approximate 80 bpm, if I sit it goes higher, and if I stand now it goes as high as 165 bpm before my monitor errors out. This makes me feel weak, dizzy, nauseous, numb arm pains, chest pain.
Finding this site was like an answer to a lifetime of problems all came full circle so I really appreciate so much finding it and the people who put it up. I could list several symptoms but this is getting long so I'll refrain, but, would like to ask, if anyone knows a good neurologist who has experience with this in the Las Vegas area. I would really appreciate a referral. Just as the doctor who told me this was nothing, over the tons of research I have done on this, I am seeing this very same thing was told to so many people who suffering with this. After all this time, I would really like to see someone who actually has experience with this. Thanks.
March 10, 2011 - 11:18pmThis Comment
Hi Tessty,
I'm glad you found this site to be helpful for you. Sometimes just reading about other's experiences can get the ball rolling to help you figure out your own medical mystery.
I have not done a whole lot of research myself, into these brain cysts and heart problems, though it makes total sense. The brain does regulate your heart and heart rate. The funny thing is, is that I have suffered with problems with tachycardia for years; since I was 22 and am now 42. Originally my cardiologist diagnosed me with mitral valve prolapse, though upon ultrasound, they never really saw the valve prolpase to the point where it should be giving me the symptoms I experienced. They put me on Inderal, regardless; a Beta blocker and it has worked all these years to help keep my tachy at bay. But funny thing is, it was about this time that my posterior fossa arachnoid cyst was discovered. All these years, I just kept the two separate. I never associated one problem with the other, but have most recently been wondering myself if the two could be related. My cyst, as far as pressure problems in my head, did not rear its ugly head until many years later...2003 and 2004 especially. It was '05 that I finally found someone to listen to me and help me and he is Dr. Robert Spetzler in Phoenix, Arizona. He practices at Barrow's Neurological Institute. He and his group are very knowlegable about these cysts (brain cysts of all types). He knows what they can do and what they can be responsible for. I was living in Albuquerque, NM at the time and for me, it was well worth the travel to see him.
My cyst and the problems I lived and suffered with, as well as my journey to find medical treatment, provoked me to write about it. I wrote a book depicting my journey to get medical treatment and overcoming the nightmare due to my arachnoid cyst titled, "It's all in Your Head." It will be out this fall, 2011. I hope it helps others living with and going through similar situations.
Keep us informed and I would continue researching and looking into your cyst being related to your heart problems. Sounds like you could be on to something.
Best wishes-
March 11, 2011 - 3:23amMaria
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could posterior fossa arachnoid cysts cause coughing at night?.. or while laying down, I guess..
February 22, 2011 - 11:50amThis Comment
coughing is such a general symptom, that it could be related to many conditions or irritants in the environment.
Are there other additional symptoms you are concerned about?
February 22, 2011 - 12:30pmThis Comment
My daughter has a prosterrior fossa cyst and was diagnosed when i was pregnant with her,hospital decided to leave the cyst when she was born as it wanst causing any harm to her or symptoms,from 4 months old i noticed her head tilting to the right and there was a few times when she projectile vomited and her head looked a funny shape at the back,took her to local gp and explained about the cyst and i got told her syptoms were nothing to do with cyst and that she had torticolitis neck spasming with lying on one side too much,this wasnt the case i went away with docs info and took her word for it but my daughter got worse at 8months i took her to see her specialsit for routine check up explained her sypmtoms they took head circumfrence and it was off the chart for her age they organised a mri she had mri on the thur and fri morning i got the call saying they would need her in over the weekend to do surgery,cyst had grown so much the fluid took up all right hand side of her head and was pushing her brain down her spine,so i was right all along with my instincts bloody doctors lost all faith in them,she had it fenestrated at 8months and is now 2 but showing symptoms again shes sometimes off balence walking into items of furniture she was late walking 22 n half months,and still tippy toe walks sometimes,but its these episodes shes been having tht are just so out of character shes been doing them at night waking up screaming shouting for me but pushing me away hitting me in face kicking screaming no no no mammy i cant calm her down when shes like this have to lie her on floor and try hold her so she dosnt hurt herself thrashing around yet her recent mri in december showed no obvious size change in cyst and no preassure on brain,shes had eeg testing to see if its fits but that was last year and they all came bk fine so god only knows whats happening its so worrying and upsets me cause i know somethings not right
February 13, 2011 - 3:25pmThis Comment
First off I would like to thank Maria and Pat and everyone involved here for the information, help and support that I have received from this group......Yesterday I heard from the Skullbase Institute, Dr. Shananian, (? sp) and I have a consult with the Dr. next week in LA.....Without the networking that goes on here, I am sure I would never have found the proper Dr.s and clinics to approach with my med. condition.....finally I can see a light at the end of this long tunnel, and I dont feel its a train coming at me.....I will keep you guys informed as to what happens, but I finally feel this long trip may be due for an ending soon.....Ray
October 14, 2010 - 10:00pmThis Comment
Really glad I found this site. Was told I had a mega cystern magna or arachnoid cyst yesterday after pusing for a CTscan. I have had all the symptoms (headaches, dizziness, coordination problems, memory loss, loss of balance, sinus problems, facial pain, neck pain, eye pain) without seizures. I'm not scared but ready to face this down and get it taken care of. I will be reading and gathering information to tackle this obstacle as quickly as possible. Bless you all for taking the time to put your struggles in writting for others like me to find and use. empowerher once again has empoweredhim as I'm a 33 year old man in DFW Tx. More to come as my journey has just begun and will not see the neurologist for a short time I hope. This also showed up on my mri....without follow up 6 months ago. No worries...just hope.
October 7, 2010 - 10:37pmThe definition of Hope is to expect good things to happen...
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