Arachnoid cyst
Intracranial and Spinal Arachnoid Cysts[edit | edit source]
Introduction[edit | edit source]
Intracranial and Spinal Arachnoid Cysts are fluid-filled sacs that occur in the cranial or spinal regions. These cysts are formed by arachnoid cells, which are part of the meninges, the layers that cover the brain and spinal cord. Intracranial arachnoid cysts are found in the brain, while spinal arachnoid cysts are located along the spine.
Characteristics[edit | edit source]
Arachnoid cysts are typically filled with cerebrospinal fluid and are usually benign. They can be congenital, meaning present at birth, or can develop later in life due to trauma, infection, or other causes.
Symptoms[edit | edit source]
Symptoms vary depending on the location and size of the cyst:
Intracranial Arachnoid Cysts[edit | edit source]
- Headaches.
- Seizures.
- Hydrocephalus (accumulation of fluid in the brain).
- Neurological deficits, depending on the cyst's location.
Spinal Arachnoid Cysts[edit | edit source]
- Symptoms of radiculopathy (pain and loss of function due to nerve root compression).
- Back pain.
- Muscle weakness and sensory issues in the limbs.
Diagnosis[edit | edit source]
Diagnosis typically involves imaging studies, such as:
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) for detailed images of the brain or spinal cord.
- Computed Tomography (CT) scans in certain cases.
Treatment[edit | edit source]
Treatment depends on the symptoms and the cyst's impact on surrounding tissues:
- Observation and regular monitoring may be sufficient for asymptomatic or small cysts.
- Surgical intervention, such as cyst fenestration or shunting, may be necessary for symptomatic or large cysts.
Prognosis[edit | edit source]
The prognosis for individuals with arachnoid cysts varies. Many remain asymptomatic and do not require treatment, while others may experience relief from symptoms following surgical intervention.
Epidemiology[edit | edit source]
Arachnoid cysts are relatively rare. Intracranial cysts are more common in males and are often diagnosed in childhood or early adulthood.
See Also[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
External Links[edit | edit source]
- American Association of Neurological Surgeons - Arachnoid Cysts
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
| Arachnoid cyst Resources | |
|---|---|
|
 |
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Kondreddy Naveen
