Common "Arachnoid Cyst" queries answered by top doctors | iCliniq

Arachnoid Cyst

It is a common cyst that is present at birth or congenital. They are non-cancerous fluid-filled sac that develops in the brain or spinal cord. They do not show any symptoms usually. But, sometimes headaches and seizures are present. Treatment is not required most of the time. Draining or removal of the cyst is done whenever necessary.

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I feel pressure in the head and tinnitus. Please help.

Query: Hello doctor, MRI(Magnetic Resonance Imaging) report shows: Left cerebellopontine angle arachnoid cyst measuring 18 x 12 x 10 mm displacing 9th and 10th cranial nerves ventrally. Misc- prominent bilateral level 3 lymph nodes also left level 2A lymph node measuring 29 x 11 mm. I went to an ENT (Otola...  Read Full »


Dr. Solanki Chirag Natwarbhai

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I would like to know more about your headache, heaviness in head like the location of pain, frequency, severity, a particular time of the day when it occurs, associated vomiting, nausea or blurring of vision. How long does it last? Does it require medicines to be taken...  Read Full »

Is an arachnoid cyst dangerous?

Query: Hello doctor, I want to know how bad or serious is type II (Galassi) arachnoid cyst located on the left temporal lobe? Can it be responsible for mood fluctuations, depression and/or panic attacks? There are no clear symptoms, but only mild depression (also had recent changes in life and my father ...  Read Full »


Dr. Nene Devavrat Harihar

Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. There are no clear evidence in the literature favoring arachnoid cyst as a primary cause of any psychiatric disturbances. Having said that its size does affect the lobe functions if it is compressing it. So basically if you have symptoms that are not responding to the...  Read Full »

I have arachnoid cyst and left vertebrobasilar dolichoectasia.

Query: Hello doctor, I was admitted to the hospital with left-sided numbness. They took me as a stroke patient and did a bunch of tests. I told them I did not have a stroke, and they sent me home. After coming home, I looked at my report and searched the internet. Some terrifying stuff was there. They were...  Read Full »


Dr. Rahul Pramod Patil

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. Sorry to hear about your suffering. The first thing is not to get panic. I need to have an excellent detailed history of yours. I would keep two differential diagnoses depending upon the information you provided. One is transient ischaemic attack, and the other is seiz...  Read Full »

My son has an arachnoid cyst and hearing issues. Help us.

Query: Hello doctor, Should I get concerned about my eight-year-old son who was suffering from an arachnoid cyst measuring 16 mm that appear on the median aspect of the middle cranial fossa? We requested and asked for magnetic resonance imaging as the last one was taken 12 months back. He also has had hear...  Read Full »


Dr. Aida Abaz Quka

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I went through your query and understood your concern. I agree with the radiologist that your son's symptoms do not seem to be related to an arachnoid cyst, because it is too small. In my opinion, this is an incidental finding. I would suggest a periodical follow-up...  Read Full »

Does arachnoid cyst cause hearing loss in a child?

Query: Hello doctor, 4 years old had an magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for hearing loss. The report impression: Left mastoid and middle ear effusion. But my question is they listed left frontal region arachnoid cyst with adjacent mass effect. They are getting another MRI ordered and an appointment with a...  Read Full »


Dr. Aida Abaz Quka

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I read carefully your question and would explain that the dizziness is not related to the arachnoid cyst. You should know that arachnoid cysts are usually asymptomatic and they are present since birth. Anyway, sometimes if they grow, they may lead to seizures or motor...  Read Full »

What could cause epilepsy and arachnoid cyst in a 30-year-old?

Query: Hello doctor, My 30 year old brother has an arachnoid cyst displacing his hypoglossal nerve. He has no tongue problems, but he has epilepsy since the last 10 years. If I send over his magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) report, can you tell me what causes his epilepsy? Thank you in advance for your tim...  Read Full »


Dr. Ashok Kumar

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I read your query and reviewed the attached magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) report. As per the available MRI report, it appears that your brother suffered some ischemic (blood circulation related) damage during his early part of life, especially around his birth. It ...  Read Full »

Can an arachnoid cyst be cured with medicines?

Query: Hello doctor, My friend had giddiness, so he got an magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan. The report showed a well-defined cyst in the posterior fossa, dorsal to the cerebellum. It is an arachnoid cyst. It also states bilateral anterior inferior cerebellar artery (AICA) lying at the level of the in...  Read Full »


Dr. Hitesh Kumar

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. Arachnoid cyst is CSF (cerebrospinal fluid) filled cyst within the brain, which is usually asymptomatic. But if the size is large, it can cause symptoms by pressure effects. A cyst cannot be cured by medicine. If treatment is needed, it is by surgery only. Alcohol doe...  Read Full »

What is mega cisterna magna, and what is the significance?

Query: Hi doctor, Can you please review my MRI scan and check if everything is normal, and is there anything to worry about?  Read Full »


Dr. Hitesh Kumar

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. Your MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) report (attachment removed to protect the patient's identity) shows most structures visible within normal limits except incident mega cisterna magna. Cisterna magna is a normal CSF (cerebrospinal fluid) filled space on the...  Read Full »

Can an arachnoid cyst be misdiagnosed?

Query: Hello doctor, I had an MRI today, and the report came back saying I have a congenital arachnoid cyst at the mid posterior fossa. I had a brain MRI about a year ago, and there was no cyst. Should I be concerned, and what should I do?  Read Full »


Dr. Gursimran Singh

Answer: Hello,Welcome to icliniq.com.Sorry to hear about your problems and I have few questions to ask. What kind of symptoms do you have? Do you have headaches, vomiting, weight loss? Usually, congenital cyst does not grow and are harmless. They do not require treatment until there is a lot of headache or ...  Read Full »

I have headache and chest pain. Kindly explain my MRI report.

Query: Hello doctor, I have a headache, back and right chest pain, nausea, vision blur, and dizzy. MRI brain suggest supravermian archanoid cyst (2.2 x 1.6 cm). MRI spine suggest straightening of the cervical spine, scoliosis of the upper dorsal spine, decreased L4-L5 disc space with mild vertebral waist p...  Read Full »


Dr. Penchilaprasad Kandikattu

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. It is fine about the report. Please explain the symptoms that you are suffering from. Then I will explain about the report.  Read Full »

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