The cyst in the brain is a type of benign tumor, usually filled with fluid, blood, air or tissues, which may already be born with the baby or develop throughout life.
This type of cyst is usually silent, and therefore, in most cases, it is only identified by some routine examination, such as computed tomography. After identifying the cyst, the neurologist follows up with periodic tomography or magnetic resonance imaging to check for an increase in size. Thus, when the cyst becomes very bulky or causes symptoms, such as headache, seizure or dizziness, it must be removed by surgery.
Types of cerebral cyst
There are some types of cyst, which are formed in different locations of the brain:
- Arachnoid cyst: it is a congenital cyst, that is, it is present in the newborn, and it is formed by the accumulation of fluid between the membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord; Epidermoid and Dermoid cyst: are similar types of cyst, also formed by changes during the development of the fetus in the mother's uterus, and are filled by cells of the tissues that form the brain; Colloid cyst: this type of cyst is located inside the cerebral ventricles, which are places where the liquid that surrounds the brain is produced; Pineal cyst: it is the cyst that forms in the pineal gland, an important gland that controls the function of several hormones in the body, such as those produced in the ovaries and thyroid.
Cysts are usually benign, but in some cases they can hide cancer. To assess this possibility, MRI scans are performed for follow-up and blood tests to assess inflammation in the body.
What can cause the cyst
The main cause of cerebral cyst is congenital, that is, it is already formed during the child's development in the mother's womb. However, other causes can contribute to the formation of the cyst, such as a blow to the head, as a result of a stroke or a degenerative disease, such as Alzheimer's, or even brain infections.
Main symptoms
The cyst is usually asymptomatic and does not cause complications, but if it grows too much and compresses other brain structures, it can cause symptoms, such as:
- Headache; Convulsive seizures; Dizziness; nausea or vomiting; Sleep disorders; Loss of strength; Imbalance; Vision changes; Mental confusion.
These symptoms can be caused by their size, location or the formation of hydrocephalus, which is the accumulation of fluid in the brain, since the cyst can obstruct the drainage of the fluid that circulates in the region.
How it comes
When the cyst is small, does not increase in size and does not cause symptoms or discomfort, the neurologist makes only one follow-up, repeating the exams annually.
If symptoms arise, you can try to control them with painkillers, anticonvulsants or for nausea and dizziness, prescribed by the neurologist, but if they persist or are very intense, the surgery to remove the cyst must be done by the neurosurgeon to resolve definitely the problem.
