Arachnoid cyst of the brain: why in such a situation it is impossible to delay treatment? Arachnoid cyst in a child: should I panic? Arachnoid cyst of the brain symptoms

Usually, an arachnoid cyst of the brain does not cause any characteristic symptoms, while its development occurs slowly without disturbing a person's life. Arachnoid cyst occurs as a result of brain injury or inflammatory processes (infectious or viral), in the form of a ball containing cerebrospinal fluid.

The presence of pronounced symptoms occurs only in 20% of patients, in other cases the disease can be detected only during a random examination, when the patient seeks medical care for other reasons. You can learn more about what an arachnoid cyst of the brain is by familiarizing yourself in detail with its varieties, symptoms and methods of treatment.

What are the types of arachnoid cysts

In medicine, there are two main types of neoplasms:

Primary - a congenital cyst that forms in utero. The most common precipitating factors are inflammatory processes, but sometimes the disease occurs due to birth trauma. More often, such pathologies are diagnosed in newborns if their mothers abused alcohol, smoked or used drugs during pregnancy.
Secondary is an acquired neoplasm that occurs as a result of the development of other pathologies or surgical procedures. Its appearance can be triggered by a strong blow to the head, cerebral hemorrhage and other similar injuries. If the neoplasm is formed through physical impact, its walls are formed from scar tissue. When the provoking factor is another reason, then the walls of the neoplasm contain tissues arachnoid.

According to their structure, neoplasms are:

simple - formed only from cerebrospinal fluid;
complex - the structure contains different types fabrics.

Based on localization, the disease can affect:

right or left temporal lobes;
parietal or frontal region of the head;
cerebellar area;
spinal canal;
posterior cranial fossa (Blake's pouch cyst);
spinal cord especially the lumbar region.

Late treatment of an arachnoid cyst of the brain can lead to significant complications and consequences, so you should familiarize yourself with its characteristic manifestations in advance.

What is the danger of a retrocerebellar arachnoid cyst

These neoplasms form between the dura and pia mater. AT early age a cyst can cause mental retardation in a child or a hypermobility syndrome. The growth of an arachnoid cyst in the brain in adults puts significant pressure on the gray matter.

Important! The main danger of the disease is that the development of a cyst puts significant pressure on the brain centers and provokes cell death, as a result of which there is a high risk of developing malignant tumor and lethal outcome.

How can an arachnoid cyst appear?

Clinical manifestations of neoplasm occur as it grows. The first signs of an arachnoid cyst are usually headaches, skin sensitivity disorders, and the presence of tinnitus. As the formation grows, if not adequately treated, it can cause:

paralysis;
epileptic seizures;
partial loss of hearing and vision.

Clinical symptoms primarily depend on the location of the neoplasm.

Symptoms of the disease in adults

With a small size, the presence of a cyst in the brain does not affect the life of a person. But if the neoplasm is developing rapidly, the clinical manifestations are as follows:

persistent migraines;
disorientation;
frequent dizziness;
sleep disorders;
muscle weakness;
tremor of the limbs;
nausea with gusts of vomiting;
lameness;
involuntary trembling of the limbs.

If you have at least a few of the above signs, you should definitely go through medical examination to confirm or rule out the possibility of pathology.

Signs of the disease in children

In a newborn child, a neoplasm can be caused by various pathologies, so its manifestations are completely different. There are no exact symptoms indicating this disease in children, but the following conditions can cause suspicion:

weakness in the limbs;
loss of orientation in the eyes;
vomiting after feeding;
intense pulsation of the fontanel.

Important! Diagnosis and treatment of arachnoid cysts in children should be carried out as soon as possible. early dates, since a neoplasm can adversely affect mental development, as a result of which in the future the child will lag behind his peers.

How is an arachnoid cyst diagnosed?

For an accurate diagnosis of the disease, a number of specific studies are necessary:

blood test for cholesterol levels;
dopplerography of the vascular system;
measurement of blood pressure;
detection of infectious lesions.

The main method for diagnosing an arachnoid cyst of the brain is magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). To determine the location of the neoplasm, the patient is injected with special contrast agents that accumulate in the cyst, due to which it can be detected.

Methods for the treatment of an arachnoid cyst of the brain

After establishing an accurate diagnosis of "arachnoid changes of the cerebrospinal fluid character", the methods of treatment primarily depend on the size of the arachnoid cyst and the dynamics of its progression. When a small, slow-growing neoplasm is detected, the patient is given regular monitoring and treatment. main reason its occurrence. After the elimination of disease-provoking factors, resorption of the cyst is observed. Rapidly growing cyst large sizes poses a serious threat to the health and life of the patient, so its therapy can be carried out through the complex drug therapy and surgical intervention.

Medical methods of treatment

If during the diagnosis the average size of the neoplasm was revealed, its therapy can be carried out without surgical intervention, only through medications. In this case, the treatment is prescribed individually for each patient, while the following drugs can be used:

antiviral drugs (Amiksin, Pyrogenal);
means that stimulate metabolic processes (Gliatilin, Actovegin);
absorbable adhesions (Karipatin, Longidaz);
immunomodulators (Timogen, Viferon).

During the course of drug therapy, it is important to strictly follow all the prescriptions and recommendations of the attending physician and not deviate from the set schedule for taking the drugs.

Folk methods of treatment

Sometimes patients, seeking to recover sooner, turn to means traditional medicine. The most common recipes include the following:

Hemlock tincture - to prepare the tincture, you need to take 100 g of plant seeds or its crushed stems, then add them to 0.5 olive oil and insist for three weeks in a dark place. Before use, the oil must be filtered several times through cheesecloth. The remedy is applied through the nose, 2 drops 3 times a day. The period of treatment with this remedy is 79 days. Tincture well eliminates headaches.
root tincture Caucasian Dioscorea- 200 g of the root of the plant must be crushed and pour 0.7 liters of vodka, then insist for 5 days in a cool place, after which the infusion must be drained and re-filled with 0.7 vodka, then left for 5 days. After the first collected infusion and the second must be mixed and consumed two teaspoons three times a day before meals. The tool has a beneficial effect on the functioning of the brain, expanding and cleansing the blood vessels. Treatment is carried out within 2-3 months.
yeast mixture with medicinal herbs- 1 tbsp. a spoonful of table yeast should be mixed with dried elecampane (40 g) and pour 3 liters boiled water. The mixture must be insisted for two days, after which take half a glass four times a day. The tool reduces inflammation and normalizes intracranial pressure.

Important! Treatment of an arachnoid cyst of the brain with folk remedies must necessarily be agreed with the attending doctor. Attempts to self-medicate at home can not only not bring the expected result, but also aggravate the situation.

Surgical treatments

When diagnosing a rapidly growing cyst, patients are prescribed emergency operation to remove the neoplasm. The operation can be carried out using the following methods:

puncture - the contents of the cystic formation are eliminated through special punctures;
shunting - a drainage tube is inserted into the cavity of the cyst, through which its contents are removed;
endoscopic method - the method involves the removal of the cystic capsule using special equipment (endoscope);
craniotomy - radical surgical intervention, during which the cranium and the cystic neoplasm is removed.

Surgical treatment of an arachnoid cyst of the brain is the most effective way to eliminate the neoplasm, but during the operation there is a risk of infection or damage to neighboring brain tissues.

Prognosis and prevention of the disease

If it was possible to diagnose the development of an arachnoid cyst on early stages, the prognosis for patients is favorable. If the tumor has reached an impressive size, it puts pressure on the brain centers, as a result of which such complications as auditory and visual disturbances. In advanced cases, cyst rupture is possible, which can lead to death.

certain preventive measures to prevent the appearance of an arachnoid cyst does not exist. But to maintain general condition brain, you can use the following tips:

lead a healthy and active lifestyle;
adhere to proper nutrition;
get rid of bad habits.

Since in the early stages of development the disease does not cause severe symptoms In order to timely identify the presence of a cyst and undergo appropriate treatment, you need to regularly undergo a medical examination.

Cerebrospinal fluid-filled formation located between the duplication of the arachnoid membrane. May be congenital or secondary. Often occurs latently, without clinical manifestations. With an increase in the volume of the cyst, it debuts with symptoms intracranial hypertension, convulsive paroxysms and focal neurological deficit. Diagnosed mainly by MRI of the brain. With increasing clinical symptoms surgical treatment is required - drainage of the cyst, its fenestration, excision or shunting.

General information

The aggravation of neurological symptoms indicates a further increase in the size of the arachnoid cyst and progressive compression of the brain. A significant increase in the volume of the cyst is dangerous with the possibility of its rupture, resulting in the death of the patient. The prolonged existence of cerebral compression leads to irreversible degenerative processes in the brain tissues with the formation of a persistent neurological deficit.

Diagnosis of an arachnoid cyst

The clinic of the arachnoid cyst has no specific manifestations and corresponds to clinical picture, common for most volumetric formations of the brain. The latter include intracerebral and meningeal hematomas, primary and metastatic brain tumors, brain abscess, intracerebral cyst. An examination by a neurologist and an initial neurological examination (electroencephalography, rheoencephalography, and echoencephalography) make it possible to establish the presence of an intracranial mass with intracranial hypertension and the existing convulsive activity of the brain. To clarify the nature of the mass formation and its localization, it is necessary to conduct MRI, CT scan of the brain or CT.

The optimal diagnostic method for recognizing arachnoid cysts is MRI of the brain with contrast. The use of contrast agents makes it possible to differentiate a cyst from a brain tumor. The main criterion for an arachnoid cyst, which distinguishes it from a tumor, is the lack of ability to accumulate contrast. With the help of MRI, differential diagnosis is carried out with subdural hematoma, subarachnoid hemorrhage,.

In the presence of hemorrhage in the area of the arachnoid cyst and in case of its rupture, complete excision of the cyst is indicated. However, this method of treatment is highly traumatic and requires a long recovery period. Therefore, in the absence of complications, preference is given to endoscopic intervention with the so-called. cyst fenestration. The operation is performed through a burr hole and consists in aspiration of the contents of the cyst, followed by the creation of holes connecting the cyst cavity with the ventricle of the brain and / or subarachnoid space. In some cases, a bypass operation is used - cystoperitoneal shunting, as a result of which the cerebrospinal fluid from the cyst cavity flows into abdominal cavity where it is absorbed. The disadvantage of such operations is the possibility of violation of the patency of the shunt.

Forecast

Arachnoid cyst of the brain may have the most different course. In many cases, it is asymptomatic throughout the patient's life. The danger is progressive arachnoid cysts. If diagnosed late, they can cause disabling neurological deficits and even death. Timely implementation surgical treatment cysts usually lead to recovery. A complication may be a recurrence of the cyst.

Prevention

Prevention of congenital arachnoid cysts, as well as the prevention of other malformations of intrauterine development, includes the correct management of pregnancy and the observance of a special protective regime by the pregnant woman, excluding harmful effects to the fruit. Prevention of acquired arachnoid cysts is the correct and timely treatment of injuries, inflammatory and vascular cerebral diseases.

If you are looking for information on the topic "brain cyst" or the answer to the question "what is a cyst in the brain?", then this article is for you. A cyst in the brain, or rather, an arachnoid cerebrospinal fluid cyst, is a congenital formation that occurs during development as a result of splitting of the arachnoid (arachnoid) membrane of the brain. The cyst is filled with cerebrospinal fluid, a physiological fluid that bathes the brain and spinal cord. True congenital arachnoid cysts should be distinguished from cysts that appear after damage to the brain substance due to traumatic brain injury, infection, or surgery.

Arachnoid cyst ICD10 code G93.0 (cerebral cyst), Q04.6 (congenital cerebral cysts).

Classification of arachnoid cerebrospinal fluid cyst.

By location:

Arachnoid cyst of the sylvian fissure 49% (cleft formed by the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain), sometimes called an arachnoid cyst temporal lobe.
Arachnoid cyst of the cerebellopontine angle 11%.
Arachnoid cyst of the craniovertebral junction 10% (junction between skull and spine).
Arachnoid cyst of the cerebellar vermis (retrocerebellar) 9%.
Arachnoid cyst sellar and parasellar 9%.
Arachnoid cyst of the interhemispheric fissure 5%.
Arachnoid cyst of the convexital surface hemispheres 4%.
Arachnoid cyst of the clivus area 3%.

Some retrocerebellar arachnoid cysts may mimic a Dandy-Walker anomaly but do not show agenesis (the term means complete absence) of the cerebellar vermis and the cyst does not drain into the fourth ventricle of the brain.

Classification of arachnoid cysts of the Sylvian fissure.

Type 1 arachnoid cyst of the Sylvian fissure click on the picture to enlarge

Type 2 arachnoid cyst of the Sylvian fissure click on the picture to enlarge

Type 3 arachnoid cyst of the Sylvian fissure

Type 1: a small arachnoid cyst in the region of the pole of the temporal lobe, does not cause a mass effect, drains into the subarachnoid space.

2nd type: includes the proximal and middle sections of the Sylvian fissure, has almost rectangular shape, partially drains into the subarachnoid space.

3rd type: includes the entire Sylvian fissure, with such a cyst, a bone protrusion is possible (external protrusion of the scales temporal bone), minimal drainage into the subarachnoid space, surgical treatment often does not lead to expansion of the brain (a transition to type 2 is possible).

Separate types of congenital arachnoid cysts.

It should be separately highlighted in this article such congenital cysts as a cyst of the transparent septum, a cyst of Verge and a cyst of the intermediate sail. It makes no sense to devote a separate article to each of the cysts, since you can’t write much about them.

Click on the picture to enlarge CT scan of the brain in the axial plane. The red arrow indicates a cyst of the transparent septum. By Hellerhoff [CC BY-SA 3.0 ], from Wikimedia Commons click image to enlarge MRI of the brain in the coronal plane. The red arrow indicates a cyst of the transparent septum. Author Hellerhoff [CC BY-SA 3.0 or GFDL], from Wikimedia Commons

A cyst of the transparent septum or a cavity of the transparent septum is a slit-like space between the sheets of the transparent septum, filled with fluid. It is a stage of normal development and does not last long after birth, so it is present in almost all premature babies. It is found in about 10% of adults and is a congenital asymptomatic developmental anomaly that does not require treatment. Sometimes it can communicate with the cavity of the third ventricle, so it is sometimes called the "fifth ventricle of the brain." The transparent septum belongs to the median structures of the brain and is located between the anterior horns of the lateral ventricles.

Verge's cyst or Verge's cavity is located immediately behind the cavity of the transparent septum and often communicates with it. Occurs very rarely.

A cyst or cavity of the intermediate sail is formed between the thalamus above the third ventricle as a result of the separation of the legs of the fornix, in other words, it is located in middle structures ah brain over the third ventricle. It is present in 60% of children under 1 year of age and in 30% between 1 and 10 years of age. As a rule, it does not cause any changes in the clinical condition, however, a large cyst can lead to obstructive hydrocephalus. In most cases, no treatment is required.

Clinical signs of an arachnoid cyst.

Clinical manifestations of arachnoid cysts usually occur in early childhood. In adults, symptoms are much less common. They depend on the location of the arachnoid cyst. Often, cysts are asymptomatic, are an incidental finding during examination, and do not require treatment.

Typical clinical manifestations of an arachnoid cyst:

Cerebral symptoms due to increased intracranial pressure: headache, nausea, vomiting, drowsiness.
epileptic seizures.
Protrusion of the bones of the skull (it happens rarely, I have not personally encountered it yet).
Focal symptoms: monoparesis (weakness in the arm or leg), hemiparesis (weakness in the arm and leg on one side), sensitivity disorders according to mono- and hemitype, speech disorders in the form of sensory (lack of understanding of addressed speech), motor (inability to speak) or mixed (sensory-motor) aphasia, loss of visual fields, paresis of the cranial nerves.
Sudden deterioration, which may be accompanied by depression of consciousness up to coma:

In connection with hemorrhage into the cyst;
In connection with the rupture of the cyst.

Diagnosis of an arachnoid cyst.

Usually, neuroimaging is sufficient to diagnose an arachnoid cyst. These are computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Additional diagnostic methods are contrast studies of the CSF pathways, such as cisternography and ventriculography. They are required occasionally, for example, in the study of median suprasellar cysts and in lesions of the posterior cranial fossa in order to differential diagnosis with Dandy-Walker anomaly.

Examination of the fundus by an ophthalmologist for hypertension syndrome (intracranial hypertension).

Electroencephalography (EEG) in case there was an epileptic seizure, to determine whether it was really caused by a cyst.

Treatment of an arachnoid cyst.

As I said above, most congenital arachnoid CSF cysts are asymptomatic and do not require any treatment. Sometimes a neurosurgeon may recommend dynamic monitoring of the size of the cyst, for which it will be necessary to periodically perform computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging.

In rare cases, when an arachnoid cyst is accompanied by the above symptoms and has a mass effect, surgical treatment is resorted to.

In some cases, with a sharp deterioration, due to rupture of the arachnoid cyst or hemorrhage into it, surgical treatment is urgently resorted to.

There is no standard size for an arachnoid cyst. Indications for surgery are determined taking into account the location and symptoms of the arachnoid cyst, and not just its size. This can only be determined by a neurosurgeon during an internal examination.

Absolute indications for surgery:

intracranial hypertension syndrome due to arachnoid cyst or concomitant hydrocephalus;
development and progression of neurological deficits.

Relative indications for surgery:

large "asymptomatic arachnoid cysts" causing deformation of neighboring lobes of the brain;
progressive increase in cyst size;
cyst-induced deformation of the CSF pathways, leading to impaired CSF circulation.

Contraindications for surgery:

decompensated state of vital functions (unstable hemodynamics, breathing), terminal coma (coma III);
the presence of an active inflammatory process.

There are three possible options for the surgical treatment of arachnoid cysts. Your treating neurosurgeon chooses tactics, taking into account the size of the cyst, its location and your wishes. Not all arachnoid cysts are suitable for all three methods.

Evacuation of an arachnoid cyst through a burr hole in the skull using a navigation station. The advantage is the simplicity and speed of execution with minimal trauma to the patient. But there is a drawback - a high frequency of cyst recurrence.

Open surgery, that is, craniotomy (cutting out a bone flap on the skull, which fits into place at the end of the operation) with excision of the cyst walls and fenistration (drainage) of it into the basal cisterns (liquor spaces at the base of the skull). This technique has the advantage of being able to directly examine the cystic cavity, avoids a permanent shunt, and is more effective in the treatment of multi-cavity arachnoid cysts.

Bypass surgery with the installation of a shunt from the cavity of the cyst into the abdominal cavity or superior vena cava near the right atrium through the common facial vein or internal jugular vein. Many foreign and domestic neurosurgeons consider shunting of the arachnoid cerebrospinal fluid cyst in the best possible way treatment, but not in all cases it is suitable. The advantage is low mortality and low level cyst recurrence. The disadvantage is that the patient becomes dependent on the shunt, which is placed for life. If the shunt is blocked, it will need to be replaced.

Complications of the operation.

Early postoperative complications- liquorrhea, marginal necrosis of the skin flap with divergence of the surgical wound, meningitis and others infectious complications, hemorrhage in the cavity of the cyst.

Outcomes of treatment of an arachnoid cyst.

Even after a successful operation, part of the cyst may remain, the brain may not fully expand, and the displacement of the midline structures of the brain may persist. It is also possible to develop hydrocephalus. As for focal neurological symptoms in the form of paresis and other things, the longer it exists, the less likely it is to recover.

Literature:

Neurosurgery / Mark S. Greenberg; per. from English. - M.: MEDpress-inform, 2010. - 1008 p.: ill.
Practical Neurosurgery: A Guide for Physicians / Ed. B.V. Gaidar. - St. Petersburg: Hippocrates, 2002. - 648 p.
Neurosurgery / Ed. HE. Dreval. - T. 1. - M., 2012. - 592 p. (Manual for doctors). - T. 2. - 2013. - 864 p.
Ivakina N.I., Rostotskaya V.I., Ozerova V.I. et al. Classification of intracranial arachnoid cysts in children // Topical issues of military medicine. Alma-Ata, 1994. Part 1.
Mukhametzhanov X., Ivakina NI Congenital intracranial arachnoid cysts in children. Almaty: Gylym, 1995.
K.A. Samochernykh, V.A. Khachatryan, A.V. Kim, I.V. Ivanov Features surgical tactics with large arachnoid cysts. \\ Scientific and practical journal "Creative Surgery and Oncology" Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Belarus Media Group "Health", Ufa, 2009
Huang Q, Wang D, Guo Y, Zhou X, Wang X, Li X. The diagnosis and neuroendoscopic treatment of noncommunicating intracranial arachnoid cysts. Surg Neurol 2007

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When making any diagnoses related to formations in the brain, parents have many different questions. Knowing about the manifestations of such diseases in infants is very important. This will help prevent life-threatening conditions in the future. Many parents are interested in a brain cyst in newborns and infants.

What it is?

Cysts in the brain are abdominal formations. Do not confuse them with tumors, they are completely different diseases. A cyst does not at all indicate the presence of an oncological pathology in a child. Various influences can lead to the development of this condition.

In some cases, cysts in the brain are not detected throughout life. The child grows and does not even suspect that he has any changes. In other situations, cysts cause the appearance of various symptoms that bring discomfort to the baby and disturb his well-being. Such cases require treatment.

Typically, the cyst appearance looks like a ball. The size of education can be different. The contour of the cyst is correct and even. In some cases, the examination reveals several formations at once. They can be located at a considerable distance from each other or side by side.

Usually, doctors detect brain cysts in every third out of ten babies born. They appear in different places. There is fluid in the cavity of the cyst. The small size of the formation, as a rule, does not cause any discomfort in the child.

If the cyst is not located near vital centers, then this development of the disease is not dangerous.

The reasons

Various factors can lead to the appearance of cystic formations in the brain. In some cases, they may work together. Prolonged or severe exposure to various causative factors contributes to the appearance in the brain of various cavity formations.

To the most common reasons their appearances include:

Various congenital pathologies. They usually develop during fetal development. Pathology of the development of the central nervous system contributes to the development pathological changes in the brain. Cysts in this case are congenital.

Injuries received during childbirth. Too large a fetus, the birth of twins contribute to the occurrence of traumatic brain injuries in newborns.

infections occurring in the mother during pregnancy. Many viruses and bacteria are able to cross the blood-brain barrier. Doctors often register brain cysts in newborns as a result of those occurring during pregnancy. infectious diseases. Viral or bacterial meningitis is often the root cause of the formation of cavitary formations.

Hemorrhages in the brain. May occur due to various reasons. Often leading to hemorrhage various injuries and falls. Brain damage contributes to the formation of a cavity filled with fluid, which then becomes a cyst.

Kinds

The impact of various causes leads to the appearance of cavity formations in the brain. They can be localized in its various departments. Physicians are currently identifying several possible localizations brain cyst.

Taking into account the location, all cavity formations can be divided into several groups:

Located at the level of the pituitary gland. Normally, this section of the brain is responsible for the synthesis of the elements necessary for the growth and development of hormones. When cysts appear in it, the child begins to appear various symptoms. Usually without symptoms with this clinical form does not cost.

Cerebellar. Also called a lacunar cyst. These types of cavity formations are most often formed in boys. They are quite rare. At fast current the disease can lead to the appearance of various motor disorders.

Mandatory treatment is required, as serious complications can occur - in the form of paralysis or paresis.

Located adjacent to the pineal gland. This organ is called the epiphysis. It performs in the body endocrine function. The pineal gland is well supplied with blood, especially at night. Violations in his work lead to a violation of the outflow of cerebrospinal fluid, which ultimately contributes to the development of cysts.

Arachnoid. They are located in the arachnoid membrane. Normally, it covers the outside of the brain and protects it from various damages. Most often, this type of cyst occurs as a result of trauma or inflammation of the meninges due to infectious diseases.
Dermoid. They are extremely rare. Registered in babies in the first year of life. Inside the cyst does not have a liquid component, but the remains of embryonic particles. In some cases, you can find the beginnings of teeth and bones, various elements of sweat and sebaceous glands.
Choroid plexus cysts. They occur during fetal development. Most often, these abdominal formations are recorded already at the 28th week of pregnancy. After birth, they can remain for life. Usually the child does not have any adverse symptoms, everything proceeds without any clinical changes.

Cysts of the intermediate sail. They are located in the fold of the pia mater, which is located in the zone of the third ventricle of the brain. They are often detected only by magnetic resonance imaging.
Pseudocysts. Inside the cavity is cerebrospinal fluid. The disease is usually asymptomatic. The child does not change the state of health and behavior. In some cases, there are several pseudocysts, which is a consequence of polycystic disease.
Subarachnoid. They are located in the subarachnoid space. Often occurs after various traumatic brain injuries or after car accidents. May present with adverse symptoms. At severe course diseases and the rapid growth of education is surgical treatment.
Cysts in the ventricle of the brain. They are located in the cerebral collectors of the cerebrospinal fluid. Most often, such cysts form in the zone of the lateral ventricles. Fast growth formations leads to the appearance of symptoms of intracranial hypertension.

Subependymal. The most common cysts in infants. Inside the formations is cerebrospinal fluid. Cavitary formation occurs due to hemorrhages under the membrane of the brain and rupture blood vessels. This condition usually occurs with birth trauma. They can be of various sizes - from 5 mm to several centimeters.
Retrocerebellar. They form inside the brain, and not outside, like many types of cysts. The formation of the cavity occurs as a result of the death of gray matter. Various provoking causes can lead to the development of this type of cyst: trauma, infectious pathologies, hemorrhages, and others. Such cavity formations usually proceed quite hard and require treatment.
Porencephalic. This condition is extremely rare in pediatric practice. It is characterized by the formation of several cavity formations in the brain - of various sizes.

Symptoms

The manifestation of clinical signs depends on the initial localization of the cavity formation. If there are several cysts, they are located in different parts of the brain, then the baby may have the most different symptoms which greatly complicate the diagnosis.

The most common clinical manifestations of cystic formations include:

The onset of a headache. It can be of different intensity: from mild to unbearable. Pain syndrome usually maximum after waking up or active games. Reveal this symptom in infants - difficult task. It is worth paying attention to the child's behavior, which changes significantly when a headache occurs.
Change in baby's condition. In some cases, the child becomes more inhibited. He has increased drowsiness, there are pronounced problems with falling asleep. Babies lose their appetite, they sluggishly attach to the chest. Sometimes babies completely refuse breastfeeding.

Increasing the size of the head. This symptom does not always appear. Usually, the size of the head increases with the pronounced size of the cysts. If a child has such abnormalities, then an additional examination is required to exclude cavity formations in the brain.
Strong pulsation and bulging of the fontanel. Often this symptom is the first sign of the presence of a cavity formation in the brain, which has already led to the appearance of intracranial hypertension.

Movement and coordination disorders. Data is usually bad. Clinical signs appear in the presence of a cavity formation in the region of the cerebellum of the brain.
Visual disorders. Often, when looking at closely spaced objects, the child develops double vision. Given pathological condition occurs as a result of compression of the growing cyst of the optic nerve.

Violation of sexual development. It occurs as a result of the presence of a cyst in the area of the epiphysis - the pineal gland. Violation of the production of hormones leads to a pronounced lag of the child from age norms. In some cases, the reverse situation occurs - excessively early puberty.
Attacks of epileptic seizures. This condition appears when a cyst occurs in the region of the meninges. To eliminate adverse symptoms, special treatment is required, and in some cases even a surgical operation.

Diagnostics

It is quite difficult to suspect the presence of a cyst in the brain in a newborn child. Additional testing is required to establish a diagnosis. These studies are being carried out on the recommendation of a pediatric neurologist. If the development of the cyst was preceded by trauma or brain damage, then you should go for a consultation with a neurosurgeon.

For the diagnosis of abdominal formations use:

Ultrasound examination of the brain. In neurology, it is also called neurosonography. This method is quite safe and can be used even for babies in the first months of life. From the survey, there are no pain. 15-25 minutes are enough to determine the diagnosis.

Computed tomography (or CT). The study gives a high radiation exposure. It should not be performed to screen for cystic masses. This method is used only in complex clinical cases, when the diagnosis is difficult. The study gives a complete picture of the anomalies and anatomical defects present in the brain.

Magnetic resonance imaging (or MRI). Reviews after the event this study the most positive. In most cases, it was with the help of MRI that it was possible to establish the presence of cystic formations in the brain. The method has a high resolution and can successfully detect even the smallest cysts. In complex diagnostic cases, they resort to the preliminary administration of contrast, which makes it possible to establish the diagnosis more accurately.

Effects

Cysts are usually asymptomatic and do not require medical intervention. However, in some cases, with unfavorable localization, complications and consequences from their presence in the brain may occur. These conditions are treated by neurologists. If conservative treatment is not possible, resort to surgical operations.

Most frequent complication cavity formations in the brain (especially in newborn babies) is a lag in the physical and mental development in future. In some cases, the child has visual and motor (motor) disorders.

One of the complications is also congenital or acquired hearing loss due to the presence of a cyst in the brain.

Treatment

The tactics of therapy is made by a pediatric neurologist - after identifying signs of cystic formations in the brain in a child. Usually kids are observed at such doctors during all subsequent life. Regular examination allows you to control the growth and development of the cyst.

Treat cystic formations in the brain can be conservatively and with the help of surgical operations. The choice of therapy remains with the attending physician. No one will operate on a baby right away. First, a waiting tactic is used. The doctor assesses the well-being of the child with the help of special diagnostic methods. If there are no violations in the behavior of the child, then there is no need to perform the operation. Usually conservative therapy reduced to the appointment of drugs that have a symptomatic effect.

If the cyst arose after bacterial meningitis, then an appointment is required antibacterial drugs. In some cases, they are prescribed in the form of injections or droppers. Treatment of such forms of diseases is usually carried out in a hospital. After recovery from infection, as a rule, the resulting cyst also changes significantly in size. After a while, it can completely dissolve and disappear.

If the child has an immunodeficiency state, immunostimulating drugs are used. medicines. They are appointed by the course, more often as intramuscular injections. Typically, this treatment is combined with the appointment multivitamin complexes. Complex therapy improves performance immune system and leads to recovery.

At traumatic injuries meninges or after some birth injuries, doctors are forced to resort to the appointment of surgical treatment. Usually operations are carried out at an older age. newborns and infants just watching. If the course of the disease is rapid, and adverse symptoms significantly disrupt the child's well-being, then the decision on the need for surgical treatment can be made earlier.

You will learn about what a brain cyst is in the next video.

The brain cyst is spherical benign education which is filled with liquid.

Cysts can be of various sizes, the severity of symptoms depends on this.

They are discovered mostly by chance, during the diagnosis of another disease or a physical examination, since these growths can for a long time be in the brain, showing no signs of existence.

The main types of brain cysts

There are two main types of brain cysts - this is:

Arachnoid cyst. A feature of this type is the location of the neoplasm between the membranes of the brain. It is more common in men than in women. In the absence of formation growth, a simple observation by a doctor is enough, if the cyst begins to noticeably increase in size, surgical intervention is inevitable.
Retrocerebellar cyst. It is characterized by the presence of education in the far part of the brain. The causes of this disease can be strokes, encephalitis, poor blood supply to the brain, and much more. The danger lies in the fact that the cyst is capable of destroying brain tissue, and this leads to cell death.

Read more about the retrocerebellar cyst in our article.

Arachnoid cyst treatment

The choice of treatment for an arachnoid cyst of the brain primarily depends on the cause and the results of the studies.

If the cyst is small and does not grow, then surgery is not required. A simple examination and compliance with the doctor's recommendations will be enough.

Concerning drug treatment, then it is prescribed in the absence of symptoms of the disease and to such drugs include:

antiviral drugs;
immunomodulators;
drugs that improve blood circulation;
taking medications that can dissolve adhesions.

If the formation begins to increase in size and the symptoms become pronounced, then surgical intervention is necessary. So the basic prerequisites for this are:

increase ;
hemorrhage in the brain;
psychical deviations;
convulsions, epileptic seizures;
when there is a high risk of cyst rupture.

Surgery

There are three types operations:

endoscopic method. It is the most modern and safe method of cyst treatment. This is due to the fact that the risk of complications is reduced and the level of injuries is much less than with other operations.
Shunting. This type of operation consists in the fact that the shunt is inserted into the cyst, and the fluid is removed through a special channel. But the downside this method is that the channel may become clogged, and this will lead to a deterioration in the patient's condition.
Neurosurgical operation refers to the traumatic way treatment of cysts, therefore, is the least popular. This is due to the fact that not only the formation is removed, but also all adjacent tissues, which leads to a long rehabilitation process.

Caution, operation video! Click to open

As for the recovery period, it consists in the stabilization of the brain and the complete recovery of the patient.

Consequences and complications

Arachnoid cyst of the brain is enough dangerous disease and may have severe consequences, therefore, with incorrect or untimely treatment, it can lead to disability, and in some cases, to death.

If you went to the doctor for advice at the first symptoms, started treatment and follow all the advice, then the prognosis will be very optimistic, otherwise, regardless of your desire, sooner or later Negative consequences will let you know.

Arachnoid cysts may be characterized by such complications:

neurological disorders. They appear in wrong work bodies motor system accompanied by loss of sensation.
Convulsions, epileptic seizures, which are accompanied by involuntary movement of the limbs and loss of consciousness.

It must be remembered that when early detection a cyst or its small size, the chances of a full recovery are much higher, while ignoring the disease only leads to complications.

Is there a prevention

As for the primary arachnoid cyst, then, as such, there is no prevention, since it is extremely difficult to prevent the development of this disease.

You can only slightly improve the situation by stabilizing the condition of the woman in labor, in order to prevent oxygen starvation fetus.

For this, a pregnant woman needs to adhere to such rules:

to refuse from bad habits;
it is strictly forbidden to take toxic or narcotic substances;
avoid taking certain drugs;
stick to a healthy diet.

With a secondary cyst, there is a large number of preventive measures and exactly:

regularly undergo a medical examination;
try to stick healthy lifestyle life;
control blood pressure;
after head bruises or concussions, exclude heavy loads on the body;
you need to monitor the level of cholesterol in the blood and adhere to its permissible norm.