Freaking out, Arachnoid cyst??

[catalicious]

WTF is an Arachnoid Cyst??

Sorry just cant wit till I go to the paed tomorrow I am freaking out so if someone knows anything about this or what is done about it please help and let me know.

Dont sugar coat...

My son Jack had an MRI because his ultrasound suggested fluid on brain, the mri stated in regards to this that it is a little big on the left but not big enough to worry about it.

But It noted that he has an "arachnoid cyst in the anterior aspect of the left middle cranial fossa, abutting the temporal lobe":thumbsdown:

Its about 2.5cm in size.:eek:

What the hell is that and what does the abutting bit mean?? or all of it.:confused:

Is that why he is reaching his milestones late if at all so far???

Please help a mummy in need i am so scared im gonna throw:barf: up i think.

[Cheekychops]

What are Arachnoid Cysts?
Arachnoid cysts are cerebrospinal fluid-filled sacs that may develop between the surface of the brain and the cranial base or on the arachnoid membrane - one of the 3 membranes that cover the brain and the spinal cord. Most cases begin during infancy, however onset may be delayed until adolescence. Symptoms of an arachnoid cyst are related to the cyst size and location. Small cysts are usually asymptomatic and are discovered only incidentally. Large cysts may cause cranial deformation or macrocephaly (enlargement of the head), producing such symptoms as headaches, seizures, hydrocephalus (excessive accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid), increased intracranial pressure, developmental delay, and behavioral changes. Other symptoms may include hemiparesis (weakness or paralysis on one side of the body) and ataxia (lack of muscle control). Arachnoid cysts most often occur in males.

Is there any treatment?


Treatment for arachnoid cysts is symptomatic. When symptoms warrant, the surgical placement of a shunt may be required to decompress (remove pressure from) the cyst.

What is the prognosis?


Untreated, arachnoid cysts may cause permanent severe neurological damage due to the progressive expansion of the cyst(s)or hemorrhage (bleeding). With treatment most individuals with arachnoid cysts do well.

try doing some web searches - I just found this, but will check for some more...

Oh - and try not to worry until the doctor talks to you - it's easy to get carried away with worst case senarios!! :fingerscrossed: for your appointment!

[Cheekychops]

here's another site with a fair bit of info...

http://www.emedicine.com/radio/topic48.htm

It's a good idea for you to find as many as you can and read up on them so you are not so overwhelmed and confused when the doc talks to you about it and treatment options etc......

:hugs:

[catalicious]

I got the results put into english for me today ........thank god i needed it i didnt sleep much last night as a result.

I thought from the results the fluid wasnt a problem but it apparently is. and the cyst is weird apparently they normally sit on top of your brain kind of in between your skull and brain but jacks is underneath his brain. Like think kind of just above your eyeball. there somewhere he pointed everything out to me.

I am so scared about it all. They also said he is Developmentally delayed.. That makes me just want to cry. Sorry but it does.

He needs to go see a paediatric neuro surgeon. Thats on the 25th. Im so frightened I fel like getting a second opinion. I got told just before to stop pretending and deal with the truth but that just sh!ts me. i think i would of preferred to stay in blissful ignorance.:o

Sorry but thats how i feel!

[catalicious]

The exact wording they used is communicating hydrocephlus, arachnoid cyst and gross and fine motor delay.

[will&samsmum]

Hi Mummycat........just wanted to send you a big :hugs: and let you know that you are not alone. Our son has a rare brain condition and is also developmentally delayed and I know how devastating it can be when you find this out. Don't ever be sorry for how you are feeling...if you want to cry just cry and if you want to live in ignorant bliss you just do that......stuff what any one else says you jusy deal with all of this the way you want to. If getting a second opinion gives you peace of mind then it is definetly worth doing. I am here if you need to talk and just to let you know the paediatric Neurologists are just wonderful people....we have had a couple of years dealing with them here in Brisbane and they are just wonderful caring people. Big cuddles to you and your beautiful little boy Jack. Take care.

Emma
xo

[ajosimon]

Hi Catalicious,

On search I found your query about arachnoid cyst, my son is recently diagnosed with Arachnoid cyst, we live in brisbane, I would like to hear about the same particularly from catalicious if she happends to read this messege or anyonelse still in contact with Catalicious, becuase I would like to know the treatment plan and how to manage the situation, and my son has a considerable delay in his language and this is the most rececent findings and he is 5years now, please help.

[SorenLorensen]

Hi Catalicious,

On search I found your query about arachnoid cyst, my son is recently diagnosed with Arachnoid cyst, we live in brisbane, I would like to hear about the same particularly from catalicious if she happends to read this messege or anyonelse still in contact with Catalicious, becuase I would like to know the treatment plan and how to manage the situation, and my son has a considerable delay in his language and this is the most rececent findings and he is 5years now, please help.
i will let cat know of this post :hugs:
also there is another member jarkiergor mum who's son has the same condition i think.
i will PM her and also let her know of your post.

ETA: cat is no longer a member of this site though, if you wanted to PM me with your email address i will get it to her ASAP

[Loopy Linda]

ajosimum, hi.

my son is gordy and he has arachnoid cysts. if you click on his dx in my sig you will get more of his story and i will fill you in some more later. i have to rush now but will check back later

[ajosimon]

i will let cat know of this post :hugs:
also there is another member jarkiergor mum who's son has the same condition i think.
i will PM her and also let her know of your post.

ETA: cat is no longer a member of this site though, if you wanted to PM me with your email address i will get it to her ASAP

Thanks a lot for your reply

My email id: ajosimon@hotmail.com

[sisi]

Hi Catalicious,

On search I found your query about arachnoid cyst, my son is recently diagnosed with Arachnoid cyst, we live in brisbane, I would like to hear about the same particularly from catalicious if she happends to read this messege or anyonelse still in contact with Catalicious, becuase I would like to know the treatment plan and how to manage the situation, and my son has a considerable delay in his language and this is the most rececent findings and he is 5years now, please help.

Hi

My 7 month old little girl has also just been diagnosed with a arachnoid cyst. I too would like more information. How big is your sons cyst. Have they advised you to operate. I'd love to talk if thats okay.

[SorenLorensen]

Hi

My 7 month old little girl has also just been diagnosed with a arachnoid cyst. I too would like more information. How big is your sons cyst. Have they advised you to operate. I'd love to talk if thats okay.

i will let cat know about this post :thumbsup:

[SorenLorensen]

That normally an arachnoid cyst is an incidental finding and they generally do nothing about it... If they have things like a delay they will normally just treat these things with therapy and stuff unless it starts causing far worse problems. WHich generally it does not.

quoted from cat

[Nowhere]

hey

I know that gordy lindas son from the special needs chat thread had this when he was born and needed surgery straight away i know it was very large, she will be able to give you heap s of info about it, Pop into the SN chat threat if she doesnt see this thread, but im sure she will

Some times cysts on the brain are left if under a certain size depending on the part of the brain and are reveiwed every 6 months to check if they are grwoing more, KWIM and other times they needs to removed or have a shunt straight away

HUgs hun I know how scary it is the thought of brain surgery is not nice

[Loopy Linda]

hi sisi,

i replied to your pm, but if you want to ask i can try to answer.

lots of luck, btw whereabouts in sydney are you?

[sisi]

WTF is an Arachnoid Cyst??

Sorry just cant wit till I go to the paed tomorrow I am freaking out so if someone knows anything about this or what is done about it please help and let me know.

Dont sugar coat...

My son Jack had an MRI because his ultrasound suggested fluid on brain, the mri stated in regards to this that it is a little big on the left but not big enough to worry about it.

But It noted that he has an "arachnoid cyst in the anterior aspect of the left middle cranial fossa, abutting the temporal lobe":thumbsdown:

Its about 2.5cm in size.:eek:

What the hell is that and what does the abutting bit mean?? or all of it.:confused:

Is that why he is reaching his milestones late if at all so far???

Please help a mummy in need i am so scared im gonna throw:barf: up i think.
Please let me know how your son is going, my 7 month old daughter has just been diagnosed with a 4cm cyst. I am also in shock !

[Loopy Linda]

catalicious is no longer member on here she does have a friend here who will let her know you were asking and may contact you.

my son's 2nd cyst is around 4 cm mark. have they spoken about operating on it?