Arachnoid Cysts / Intracranial Cysts

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Arachnoid Cysts / Intracranial Cysts
Symptoms of an Arachnoid Cyst

Symptoms of an Arachnoid Cyst

Some arachnoid cysts cause no symptoms at all. When an arachnoid cyst does cause symptoms,
those symptoms depend on where the cyst is located. When its located around the brain,
symptoms include:

Headache
Nausea and vomiting
Hydrocephalus (accumulation of fluid in the brain, which can change the shape of an
infants head)
Developmental delay
Behavioral changes
Seizures
Hearing and visual disturbances
Vertigo
Difficulties with balance and walking
Headaches
Seizures
Decreased cognitive performance
Hemiparesis (weakness or paralysis on one side of the body)
Ataxia (lack of muscle control)

Arachnoid cysts around the spinal cord compress the spinal cord or nerve roots and cause
symptoms such as:
 Back and leg pain
Tingling or numbness in the legs or arms

An arachnoid cyst that causes any of these symptoms needs to be evaluated for possible
treatment, as it may continue to grow and cause neurological damage as it puts pressure on
surrounding brain tissue. Since many of these symptoms can be caused by a range of other
conditions, an accurate diagnosis is critical (see Diagnosing and Treating an Arachnoid Cyst).
The good news is that the prognosis for those with arachnoid cysts is excellent, and the surgery
to drain or remove a cyst is safe and effective (see Surgery for Arachnoid Cysts).

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Reviewed by: Jeffrey Greenfield, MD, PhD

Last reviewed/last updated: January 2015

Arachnoid Cysts / Intracranial Cysts