Arachnoid Cyst - Surgery?

[JT_Seven]

I am a 38 y/o male that was diagnosed four weeks ago with a 4.1 cm x 2.6 cm cyst in the posterior fossa of the right cerebellum. I had been feeling nauseaus, had acute vertigo, blurred vision and concentration problems that brought me to the ER.  I thought I was having a stroke.  A CT Scan revealed the arachnoid cyst. The ER doc said the Radiologist felt that the cause of my symptoms was an inner ear infection and not the cyst.   I have had many sinus problems (but never inner ear) in the past but NEVER these acute symptoms like these in all my life.   To date, the vertigo, nausea and blurred vision has persisted (have in fact become milder) but now I seem to have small muscle spasms and tingling in my extremities.  

I have followed up with a Neurosurgeon who said that the cyst (given the MRI) was not life threatening but some of my symptoms (not all) were indicative that the cyst had become symptomatic and most possibly may become a a bigger problem in the long term given its location in the Brain.   He's recommended surgery and said the procedure was relatively simple for Brain surgery (easy for him to say) and produces favorable results in most people. He does fenestration of the cyst in a procedure that lasts about one hour.  

I have followed up with a second Neurosurgeon who reviewed my MRI and told me that the cyst would not grow any further and has not and was unlikely to cause any dangerous pressure to damage the Brain during my lifetime.   He was less inclined to recommend surgery.  However, he did say that he could not explain away my collective symptoms as non-cyst related because they did not indicate inner ear problems as first suspected and I have no other medical problems.  He said that if the symptoms persisted and negatively affected my lifestyle, surgery would be the way to go because the only way to definitively rule out the cause of the symptoms as cyst-related was to in fact have the surgery and see if the symptoms go away.  

I'm trying to do the cost-benefit analysis of getting the surgery.  I don't want to just jump into surgery and am nervous about the prospect of complications of having the procedure (however "simple").   However, I can't just grin and bear the symptoms that I am experiencing and wonder if i will in fact benefit by going under the knife.  

Can anyone tell me - when is it practical to consider surgery?  In most patients is it as simple as having the surgery and seeing how it goes?  How long is the recuperation? What has been the overall prognosis following the procedure? Do the symptoms gone away? Are there any secondary complications (besides the apparent risks of surgery)? Do the cysts generally return?

Any advice would be appreciated.  Thank you.

Jack

[jared220]

Guys, this chat is really great. I thought I had a concussion from surfing in Southeast Asia and when I got back I had tons of blood work, was put on Prednisone (*****!) for who knows what and amoxicillin for a minor ear infection. We treated the symptoms but I still have had memory loss, dull headaches and fatigue... I am a teacher and I would lose the words I wanted to say when addressing the class. I am usually pretty sharp and I hate having my thoughts shut down! Haha. Anyways I had an MRI and a cerebellar Arachnoid Cyst was found. It is quite large and now we are watching it and gathering second opinions... Anyways, i wanted to get an update on overall feeling after surgery...Neurologist is calm and cool and claiming I have POst Concussion symptoms but I cant stop thinking about getting this thing out of myhead Starship Troopers style!

[SwimMom98]

Found this article as I was researching AC's as my 13yr old is suffering from a 6.5cm x 3.5cm cyst.  In the past 3days she has been transferred to 2 different hospitals from the ER as the other day getting ready for school she fainted in the shower after yelling she was losing/lost her vision.  She has cronic headaches, see's what she discribes as "green glittering stars", has had numerous ear issues and constantly complains of dizziness.  
Check out the article and decide from there...
"Devan Perez - arachnoid cyst brain surgery for teenager
www.skullbaseinstitute.com/press/devan-perez.htm"

Best of luck to you...

[SwimMom98]

Well my daughter, who was 13yrs old when first diagnosed is now 17 getting ready to turn 18. Has recently been told she has vertigo, granted only minor growth since first diagnosed.  We've moved and have found a new Neurosurgeon in Florida.  After numerous MRI'S,  several visits to ENT a recent VNG that ruled out "Ear" issues we now have come to a point we are seriously contemplating this fenestration surgery. After 4 neurologist, 3 Neurosurgeon's, numerous other visits to ER's..we think it's time.  Most days she'll work thru the headaches,  the "glitter" spots, but now the dizziness (Vertigo ) it is adding more concern.  Some days as a Mom I wsh I could just make it all go away.  I'm just more upset that we've moved further away from Skull based institute. .. but grateful that our new Dr is comfortable enough to do this surgery.

[djmmMom]

If you don't mind me asking, did your daughter end up having the surgery? If so how long has the recovery period been for her?

[cheekychimp34]

hi please could someone help me is a 4cm arachnoid cyst classed as a large one please

[Sillk1]

Dr.Hyrahr Shahinian, Skull Base Institute.  Treats these cyst every day, he's been on The Doctors and Ellen. Has special tools he developed with NASA to perform what other surgeons can only do via open craniotomy, via minimally invasive keyhole surgery. If anyone has info or experience with this doctor please share. His claim is that he can completely remove the cyst via his methods many times going in through a small key hole made through the eyebrow.

[Tomr64]

I am a 48 yo engineering professional and I had an arachnoid cyst (14 cm x 5 cm x 2.5 cm) that was diagnosed in Jan that was addressed 3/28 with a Ventricular Peritoneal Shunt.  The shunt drained the cyst completely and collapsed the top of my brain into the area where the cyst used to reside.  The collapse of the top of the brain into the cyst area caused bleeding that had to be drained during an operation 6/1.  The doctor also closed the valve in the shunt to allow for the CSF to build back up in my brain.  The shunt will turned back on 7/1 when crainial pressure was at the desired pressure.  desired level.  The doctor also added a low pressure drain on the outside of my brain.  The collapsed part of the brain continues to be collapsed.  The doctor is going to leave it alone unless something else occurs.  This is hte first time in six months that I am going back for a check not more surgery.  I may still need more surgery but we are crossing our fingers.  I still have heads daily.  There we averaging 7-9 every day all days.  After this third surgery they do occassional get as high as 8-9, but they are generally 5-6.  

I have always had a bad short term memory that has been getting apparently worse over the past 4-5 years.  In addition, my wife states (and my children agree) that my mood switches very quickly and I lose my temper very easily.  I had always been a laid back and relaxed person.  I realize that this is no longer the case and I am realizing that this change is very real.  But, I think that the recovery from this surgery and symptoms will dissipate these symptoms.  I apologize for the long winded answer, but hope fully it helps reduce someone's anxiety.

[Jeanean419]

I also have a Arachnoid Cyst, I had surgery last May and still struggle with headaches. My cyst started out 8.8cm x 6.7 cm. it is smaller since the last MRI but trying to get info out of a Neurosurgeon is like pulling teeth. Before surgery I dragged my leg, I would fall backwards, forwards and complained about my vision. It took an ER trip because I thought I was having a stroke to find this large cyst. I also have trouble with sleeping and still forget things and its been a year. I am tired of the run around.