The main danger of a cyst is that it appears most often in the brain. This human organ is the most vulnerable and is easily damaged by any bruises. What then to say about the neoplasm? Of course, if the cerebrospinal fluid cyst appeared in another place, it would not have received so much attention. Its feature is that in most cases it is asymptomatic, and is detected by accident. Such a formation can develop in any part of the brain. It should be noted that a cyst of this kind is quite rare.
What it is?
Liquor cyst - a cavity filled with fluid. This education is classified as benign. It is worth noting that the cyst has no relation to tumors, but sometimes it is called so for convenience. This education can appear in people of absolute any age. A cyst is found in a fetus that has not yet been born, if during the formation of the embryo certain problems appeared.
In addition, it can occur in a newborn child as a result of an injury received during birth, or an infection that entered the body immediately after birth. As for adults, such formations in them may be congenital or acquired. Most often, a cyst appears after a traumatic brain injury or stroke.
Classification of formations. Arachnoid cyst
Most often, two main types are distinguished: arachnoid (cerebrospinal fluid) cyst and retrocerebellar. Let's consider them in more detail. In fact, the names speak for themselves. For example, arachnoid membranes and liquor tanks participate in the development of an arachnoid cyst, as a result of which a new name appeared. The cerebrospinal fluid cyst is characterized by the fact that it forms arachnoid membranes in tanks, which are stretched as a result of the development of education.
In men, a cyst of this kind is diagnosed much more often than in representatives of the weaker sex. Education can have both an innate (true) character, and acquired. The cyst is very difficult to diagnose, since a person does not feel any changes in his body. With a congenital ailment, education can resemble itself up to 20-22 years, and then do not show any signs at all. The cerebrospinal fluid cyst sometimes causes nausea and vomiting, hallucinations and epilepsy attacks.
Retrocebular cyst
This formation is dangerous, as it appears inside the brain substance. It occurs at the site of dead cells of nerve tissue. It turns out that the appearance of a cyst is preceded by some events that were the causes of cell death. Most often they become:
- serious head injuries;
- ischemic brain disease associated with oxygen starvation;
- cerebral infarction, due to which a large number of cells die, which contributes to the development of a cyst;
- inflammation in the brain.
The nature and clinic of the cyst largely depends on the reasons that caused it. Thus, the appearance of education after a stroke is a favorable outcome. It is found with MRI or after the death of a person. As a rule, people do not feel any malfunctions in their bodies due to cysts. Symptoms occur only if it continues to grow and increase in size.
Signs of ailment
As already noted, things are quite complicated with this moment. The presence of something superfluous in the brain may not manifest itself at all. However, it is worth paying attention to some signs. They are not the most serious ones, so people just don’t notice them.
Symptoms of the appearance of cerebrospinal fluid cysts:
- hearing problems;
- visual impairment, that is, fog, bifurcation, spots, etc.
- paralysis;
- pain in the head area ;
- dizziness, impaired coordination, loss of balance;
- periodic cramps;
- numbness of the limbs of the body.
These are the main signs that you should rely on when diagnosing an ailment. In addition, in some cases, nausea and vomiting, hallucinations, weakness, and insomnia are observed. If the cyst begins to grow, a person feels an extra object in the brain at a physiological level. Despite the apparent safety, a cyst can lead to serious consequences.
What is the danger of cerebrospinal fluid cyst?
The greatest danger is the risk of an increase in the size of education. There is also the likelihood of developing intracranial hypertension, which is a rather unpleasant ailment. If you ignore the presence of a cyst that has been detected, you can become a victim of huge health problems. In extreme manifestations, cerebral edema may develop. This is due to the incorrect location of the stem structures and their infringement in the occipital foramen. Such a development of events leads to circulatory and respiratory disorders, as well as fatal outcomes, respectively.
Retrocerebellar arachnoid cerebrospinal fluid cyst is no less dangerous. Moreover, this education tends to rapidly grow rapidly. Since the cyst is usually located in the posterior cranial fossa, its increase will lead to irreversible consequences. Therefore, do not underestimate this ailment, and if any signs appear, you should immediately contact a specialist.
Benign education in children
As already noted, this ailment can occur in people of any age, as well as in children who have not yet been born. Most often, this is due to problems during pregnancy or due to trauma during childbirth. For the same reasons, a cyst can form in newborns. In addition, the possibility of infection in the child’s body is added here. They lead to circulatory failure of the brain, resulting in ischemia or hypoxia.
Nervous tissue will become necrotic, and gradually in these places liquid will begin to accumulate, which will interfere with the cerebrospinal fluid paths. As a result, the child will begin to suffer from hydrocephalus, which will lead to a delay in the growth and development of the child. As for the place of education, in childhood it can be absolutely anything. The best option is to diagnose an ailment in infancy and remove it surgically.
Diagnostics
To distinguish a malignant formation from a benign one, it is necessary to carry out a number of diagnostic measures. Thanks to them, you can determine the location of the cyst, shape and size. For the most accurate problem identification, the following methods are used:
- x-ray of the skull ;
- computed tomography (CT) of the brain;
- magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain;
- blood test for infections.
It is believed that the most effective way is MRI. Education of this kind can occur in any person, regardless of gender or age. Most often, the size of the cerebrospinal fluid cyst is 23 x 5 x 3 mm. However, it can be either larger or smaller, it depends on the particular case.
If the first suspicion of a neoplasm appears, a CT scan is best. This approach will answer the main question - what kind of education? This is easy to do, because the cyst does not accumulate contrast, while a malignant neoplasm is clearly distinguished in the pictures.
Treatment of cerebrospinal fluid cysts with drugs
It is worth noting that this type of therapy is relevant only if the formation in the brain is small. Doctors most often prescribe drugs of the following type:
- absorbable;
- normalizing blood pressure;
- actioxidants;
- lowering cholesterol.
These medications are aimed at preventing the development of diseases, as well as eliminating cysts. At its discretion, a specialist may recommend taking antiviral drugs. No need to self-medicate, because ignorance can lead to irreversible consequences. Specific drugs and their dosage are prescribed only by a doctor. For the most effective treatment, it is better to adhere to the course of therapy.
Surgical treatment
This method is suitable for removing large cysts. Also, if the formation increases and exhibits symptoms, surgery is also recommended. It is of four types:
- craniotomy;
- cyst bypass;
- drainage;
- endoscopy.
Craniotomy is the most effective way of all of these. However, there is one drawback - during this operation, there is a high probability of injury. Bypass surgery, i.e. fluid removal, is a less dangerous surgical procedure. But during the operation, an infection can get in, and complications will appear.
Endoscopy is rarely used. As for drainage, this method is not entirely reliable. There were cases when after such an operation the patient recurred.
Effects
Small liquor cyst does not pose a threat to human health. If this is found, you need to regularly undergo examinations and monitor the general condition of the body. The real threat is a cyst, which is increasing in size. Then surgery is recommended.
The most dangerous consequence of this ailment may be a gap in education. In this case, the fluid is poured into the cranium, as a result of which a powerful intoxication occurs, and then the pulse stops.
Cyst in the temporal lobes
Why is pathology developing? The cerebrospinal fluid cyst in the right and left temporal lobes increases due to concussions , inflammation of the meninges, and circulatory disorders. Surgical intervention in this case will not be enough, it is necessary to identify and deal with the cause of the appearance of education.
The liquor cyst of the temporal lobe tends to occur again and again after elimination. In order to avoid such situations, you need to take drugs aimed at restoring the protective system of the body. Doctors prescribe different medicines in specific situations. For example, to restore cerebral circulation, blood thinners should be taken. If there is a lack of oxygen and it is necessary to improve metabolic processes, experts recommend antioxidants and nootropics for taking. To resolve the adhesion of the meninges, doctors recommend the use of special medications like Caripain.