Cerebral Cysts
What is it?
A cerebral cyst is a sac filled with fluid in the brain. It may contain blood, pus, CSF (cerebrospinal fluid), or other materials that develop in or around the brain. The cyst can be benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous), both types can cause symptoms by pressing against brain tissue. There are different kinds of cerebral cysts depending on their location in the brain and their content. Some cerebral cysts are congenital (children are born with them). In other cases, they can develop after head injuries, meningitis, tumors, or brain surgery.
Signs & symptoms
The symptoms depend on the size of the cyst and the part of the brain where the cyst grows. A small cyst can b "silent", meaning it doesn't cause symptoms. Larger cysts can cause problems related to the location of the cyst in the brain. In addition, symptoms can be caused due to increased pressure on the brain, and include headaches, nausea, vomiting, vertigo, dizziness, hearing or vision problems, difficulties with balance, and seizures.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of a cerebral cyst is based upon medical history, physical examination, and imaging tests, including MRI and CT scans. Contrast dye may be used to help show more details in the images. In some cases, the cerebral cyst is discovered on an imaging scan done for another reason.
Treatment
Treatment for cerebral cysts depends on the size and location of the cyst. A small cyst that is not causing symptoms and is not growing usually doesn't require treatment, and the doctors may watch it closely with repeated brain scans. A larger cyst usually is treated with surgery to remove the cyst or drain fluid from it. In addition, treatment can vary by type of cyst.
☝️ This is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult with your physician before making any medical decision.
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Source of Information - We analyze big data of more than 23 million patients de-identified medical records from the following sources:
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