Hi folks, I'm not new to the boards but I am new to this forum. I had an MRI for "double vision" and they found an Arachnoid cyst in the posterior to the right cerebellar hemisphere. Flow voids of the major intracranial vesals are present. They also suspect that I may have small blood vessel disease and needless to say I am worried. I have been having double vision and vertigo, My question is this. Does anyone else have this problem and if so what does all this mean?

Thanks and hope to get a responce,

Joe

Joe I was just told I have an arachnoid cyst as well , posterior fossa but it was a cat scan with no contrast so I am not sure if they will send me for an MRI with contrast to see things more clearly or not. Anyway good luck , what did the doctor say to you about it?

Hi Lutheran, I had the MRI and my primary care Dr. mailed me the results. I do have an appointment with a neuro-opthomologist the end of the month. I also have been having vertigo. Do you have any symptoms? As far as I know some cyst are harmless and just need a shunt put in to drain if they cause pressure on your brain. I have also read that some are dangerous and have to be removed. I've been searching the web trying to find answers with little or no luck. Keep me posted and I'll do the same.

Thanks,
Joe

Joe I am going to the neurosurgeon on thursday for a 2nd opinion and to find out more details..will get back to you when I am back.

Went to neurosurgeon and he said to not worry about the cyst , pretty much what I wanted to hear as I dont want an operation if I can help it. He said my problem may be my nerve roots in my cspine is compromised and making my head feel real bad. He had my cspine report but wouldnt go further without seeing film so I brought them to him and will see him again next week.

Hi again, That's good news. I went to see my spine specialist <I have had 2 micro d's> for a herniated disc at the L4 L5 level and she told me that the headaches and double vision are not the cause of that. She also said some people are born with cyst on thier brain and not to worry also. But here I am still having double vision and sever headaches. My wife gave me a migrain pill and that didn't help. I ave an appointment with a neuro opthomologist this comming wednesday. I have seen 4 optho's so far and they are stumped as to what is causing these symptoms. I still get dizzy, have vertigo, double vision and bad headaches <not that I know there are any good headaches>
Happy to hear your good news ... I'll let ya know what happens.

Joe

Joe/Lutheran
I was diagnosed with "symptomatic intercaranial arachnoid cysts" about 5 years ago. I do have some problems (actually went to the Doc today). Severe headaches, Blurred vision, a sporatic tremble in my left arm, my left leg also "drags" every now and then. I also have some "dysarthria" or what I call getting tongue tied. I've had several MRI's and they have not grownor moved. I do have a great neurologist that is very talented, although he, like everyone else, knows very little about arachnoid cysts.
Initially they wanted to do surgery to remove them, but the risks of the surgery are so high, I decided to live with the problems until I can no longer tolerate them.
Having 3 of them, I guess I'm doing well, adapting.
Good luck! let me know if you find any additional info. Email me at REMOVED.
Nick




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Hi to you both

Just a note regarding your arachnoid cysts. I realize that all of your physicians are hesitant to touch them, however, there are tests to see if there is anything to be done. A suggestion is with running dye through the brain while the half, where the area in which the growth is contained, is frozen. I had this test done. A tad warm, with the dye, but well worth it.

The headaches are indeed a sign of the cysts. I have suffered with them for most of my life. Had one removed close to 2 decades ago due to seizures. Temporal Lobe epilepsy, due to area of the cyst.

Cysts can cause quite a lot of agro, including loss of balance, et. al. And depending upon the area, an optician may see it during eye testing.

Meds for migraines rarely help the difficulties. The family doctor is one to help try different tablets to help with pain management.

Do so hope that this may help you both somewhat. Have somewhat of an idea what you must be going through. Have another one on the other side, and oh, my kingdom for a.. well, shan't mention that.. :-) May you get the assistance you need.

Thinking of you both.. Wee Minx