Cysts are small fluid-filled sacs that grow in the spinal cord and are most common in the neck area, but they can grow anywhere along the cord and press on nerves and other structures, resulting in some symptoms such as muscle weakness, dizziness, pain in the back and atrophy of the muscles, for example.
Normally, people are already born with cysts in the spinal cord, but, for little-known reasons, they only increase during adolescence or adulthood. The diagnosis of cysts in the spinal cord is performed with magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography and treatment varies according to the severity of the symptoms.
Main symptoms
Symptoms of cyst in the spinal cord appear only when the cyst is large and compresses nerves and other structures, which can lead to the following symptoms:
- Progressive weakness of the legs; Deformation of the spine; Back pain; Spasms and tremors in the legs; Paralysis of the legs; Dizziness; Problem with moving the eyes and speaking; Atrophy of the muscles.
In addition, some people may experience loss of sensitivity to pain or heat, and it is quite common for people with spinal cyst to experience burns and cuts without realizing it, since their sensitivity is reduced due to nerve compression.
Treatment for cyst in the spinal cord
The treatment for cyst in the spinal cord varies according to the symptoms presented by the person, as well as its severity. Usually the treatment involves draining the cyst to decrease the pressure on the spine and prevent its recurrence. However, in some cases it may be necessary for the cyst to be removed by surgery.
If the cyst causes severe damage to the nerves in the spinal cord, drainage or surgical treatment may not be sufficient to recover lost functions. Thus, it is important that the person is accompanied by a physical therapist so that the compromised functions can be stimulated and, thus, recovered progressively.
