Diagnosed with a posterior fossa arachnoid cyst in my brain

Milva · Guest

I have juste received the results of my CAT Scan without contrast and it states that I have a posterior fossa arachnoid cyst in my brain. Is this fatal? Can it lead to Cancer?Can this be the cause of my headaches, light headness, and dizziness? I do not have seizures. Also, 10 years ago I had a CAT scan done and it did not reflect on the test? What could of caused it?

jocie100 · Newbie Joined: 02 Feb 2007 Posts: 1

My mother has had one of these for at least 40 years. The only problem that it causes her is facial pain from pressure on the trigeminal nerve. I have read up on these a bit and found that most people do not have any symptoms, but those that do, are prone to headaches. She just had another MRI (her last was 10 years ago) and it has grown a little, so she is going to see a neurosurgeon. Medication has been used over the years to take care of the nerve pain.

Hope this helps!

Guest · Guest

Does anyone have any personal experience with this? I was just diagnosed due to demanding an MRI (many head throbs, some forgetfulness). It is 1 inch. I'd appreicate feedback about your experience if you have had this!

neman · Newbie Joined: 06 May 2007 Posts: 2

hi,

im new to this forum but i have been diagnosed with a dermoid cyst with much the same symptoms as you are describing, headaches, dizziness, forgetfullness mine uis about 2cm round cant be operated on if you would like to talk more u can catch me on msn messenger

**edited by moderator**

Guest · Guest

My 17 yo daughter has been having headaches on and off for the last 5 months. In the last month or so they increased to daily and also with exertion such as walking up steps. I took her for an MRI which showed a cyst. From what I have read the cyst could be incidental to the headaches. I don't have the full report but the Pedi described it as "small". I am hoping for th best that we can control the headaches and watch the cyst for growth and expecting the worst that she will have to have suregry. We live in NJ and the wait time for a neuro in NYC or Philly is at least 3 weeks....frustrating

neman · Newbie Joined: 06 May 2007 Posts: 2

i know how your daughter feels i get headchaches queit often it seems to be brought on by stress something which i commonly have.it feels like ive been drinking somedays i wake up ,also affects my mood and attention span i was supposedly born with this conditon but never really had any symptoms till age 28

bondi · Newbie Joined: 11 Nov 2007 Posts: 1

My 7 month old daughter was being monitored for rapid head circumference growth..an MRI revealed a large posterior fossa arachnoid cyst on her cerebellum. She had emergency surgery to fenestrate (drain). As a result of the cyst she has developed hydrocephalus and needed a shunt placed 10 days post op.
She never had ANY symptoms of the cyst other than the head growth, nor does she suffer from any symptoms of hydrocephalus as of now (knock on wood!).
She has met, and continues to meet, all her developmental milestones in both cognitive and gross/fine motor skills.

An arachnoid cyst is not the end of the world...she still has some of the cyst (they were not able to remove it all without damaging tissue).

latanyadarville@hotmail · Newbie Joined: 12 Mar 2008 Posts: 1

my 12 year old brother has just started having headaches and we took him to the doctor and they diagnosed him with posterior fossa arachnoid cyst does he have to have surgery and where do we go from here if you have any information can u plz email me at latanyadarville@hotmail.com i would be greatly appreciated and thanks alot

Diagnosed with a posterior fossa arachnoid cyst in my brain

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