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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Can you tell me the name of your doctor, please. My 31 yr old son just found out he has a huge cyts as well. Thank you, Kathy
January 18, 2015 - 10:41pmThis Comment
My Dr. Is Dr. Shahinian in The Skull Base Institute in Los Angeles CA
January 30, 2015 - 2:16pmThis Comment
Hi Kathy,
I just wanted to give you the name of my neurosurgeon as well. He is a world renowned neurosurgeon and has developed many brain surgery techniques that other neurosurgeons now use. He is the chief neurosurgeon at Barrow's Neurological Institute in Phoenix and his name is Dr. Robert Spetzler.
It's always good to have several options because not all neurosurgeons known about or understand brain cysts well, and may have different ideas on treatments.
Good luck,
Maria M.
January 19, 2015 - 12:41amThis Comment
Hi,
I am first, sorry to hear about your son's diagnosis. I know it is very frightening to hear that your child has anything wrong with their brain. I wish the best for you, your son and family as you start this journey with trying to get him the best treatment.
I am Maria, the one who started the arachnoid cyst addition to empowher. I have a Posterior Fossa Arachnoid cyst that is very large, taking up over a third of my brain. It compresses the brain stem and cerebellum. I have been told by many doctors that it is the largest or one of the largest cysts they had ever seen in their practice.
I had surgery for my cyst in 2005. It was not to remove it, but fenestrate it, which means that the cyst had built-up walls inside (tissue) that was causing the cerebral spinal fluid to get trapped inside the cyst, as opposed to flowing into the cyst, then back out and on with its journey through the ventricles of the brain and down the spinal column. The blockage of tissue walls was causing the cyst to grow and get larger - putting pressure on the different areas of the brain.
I was told that they "could not" remove the cyst because the brain expected it to be there. It had grown, kind of, around the cyst and to remove it, would cause my brain to essentially, go into shock and I would die. I would suggest you asking your doctor (neurosurgeon) whomever you decide to go with for treatment, what his exact plan is with the cyst in surgery. Not all doctors explain well, what their procedure is to treat it during the surgery. Mine entailed the neurosurgeon going into my cyst with a wand-type tool and knocking down the walls to open the cyst up and get it communicating with the rest of the CSF....so the CSF could flow into the cyst and back out without getting trapped.
This did work for a while, (a few months) but I began getting back under pressure again, so they went in and put in a shunt to help keep the fluid draining. I then struggled from that point on, to get the shunt set at the right setting to drain enough but not too much fluid. I had a lot of issues regarding the shunt.....it's been nearly 10 years of dealing with the cyst and shunt, neurosurgeons, symptoms, etc.
I wrote a book about my journey with this AC called, "It's All in Your Head," available on Amazon, through Barnes and Noble, etc. I have heard from many people that were diagnosed with, or their child was diagnosed with a brain cyst, that my story helped them get a better perspective on what is possible with these AC cysts. You may find it beneficial as well.
I tell people to ask lots of questions to their neurosurgeon. If you at any point don't feel comfortable with what they have to say or are doing, it never, never hurts to get another opinion. I know it is hard to travel period, but especially when it's medically related, or your child's medical issue, but if you are interested, you can send a copy of your son's MRI and report to my neurosurgeon in Phoenix...a world-renowned neurosurgeon. For a fee of $100.00 (I believe it still is), he'll read the MRI and report and give you his opinion, whether he thinks surgery is warranted etc. His name is Dr. Robert Spetzler, chief neurosurgeon at Barrow's Neurological Institute - (top-notch neurological clinic).
If you ever have any questions, feel free to contact me. Again, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family and for the help and restoration of your son's health.
God Bless,
Maria McCutchen
December 9, 2014 - 8:27amThis Comment
Hello Maria,
Have you heard of Dr. Shahinian in California? Anyone that you might recomend in Florida
January 3, 2015 - 8:14pmThanks
L.R
This Comment
Hi,
You know, I haven't heard of the neuro in CA and only know of one in FL whom I wouldn't refer anyone to. He has very little knowledge of these types of cysts. I had a not-so-good experience with him, however, if you need any help researching anyone...let me know. I'd be happy to help.
Take care -
Maria
January 3, 2015 - 8:33pmThis Comment
Maria, Dr. Shahinian is the one that did my surgery in CA since no one in Florida would touch me. I was just wondering if there were any other of his patients and know how their experience was. My cyst grew back but they have a high recurrent rate ( you know this already im sure)
January 3, 2015 - 8:50pmThank you for your fast reply,
L. R
This Comment
Thanks so much for your response. Yes it has been quite a difficult time learning about the cyst in my little boys brain. But I am not feeling so overwhelmed anymore . My sons cyst is similar to yours in the fact they cannot remove it as it is too large, so they too are talking about fenestrating it. We are meeting with our neurologist this coming Monday, then the surgeons in one month. Just waiting now is driving me a bit mad! My house is getting a big spring clean as I wait for the weeks to tick by! I will definitely think about getting another opinion so thanks for that. We live in Australia. thanks again for your time. I will keep you updated with the progress.
December 18, 2014 - 6:44amAmanda
This Comment
Thanks for taking the time out to talk with me I have a bit of hope now I'd like to find a mom of a child that has what he has see what they're doing and so fourth I truly want to thank you and I'll be in touch I don't want a shunt done heard bad about it I will prey for you along with my son daily thanks again
September 10, 2014 - 8:24amThis Comment
I had an arachnoid cyst and was in horrible pain, vomiting, loosing balance and many other issues. Long story short it was found by a spin doctor having me get an MRI for my neck and didn't pay attention to the first thing listed on the report. It said "large fossa cyst with mass effect on the cerebellum, he sent me to physical therapy I went 4 times and I told the therapist every time he did traction it caused the right I ide of my face and head to go numb he said to call my Doctor because something else was going on. I went to the doctor and he told me he had good news and bad news, good was he could fix my neck, bad news was "you have alarge cyts on your btain stem and I don't know how I missed it" but you need to see a neurosurgeon. . Well I was a single mom at the time and could not take time off I ended up in the ER admitted had surgery on tuesday and went home thursday had some PT and went back to work 3 weeks later. I had all of my symptoms for 41/2 years. My neurosurgeon is Dr. Derek Duke he is in Henderson which is on the outskirts of Las Vegas. He is an amazing doctor. My brain surgery was in 2003, he also did my neck fusion about 5 years ago. I hope anyone out there gets the best doctor. Never give up I was told for 41/2 years all of my complaints were in my head, I was just fat, needed to exercise blah blah blah. I just kept going to different doctors. I wish everyone the best. Never give up. Ok sorry it was not so short but that is just a snippet of what happened to me. If anyone has guestions for me I will be checking back here. Thanks for listening. I hope this will help someone. I had many more symptoms.
October 23, 2014 - 9:52pmThis Comment