What are the symptoms of arachnoid cysts?
What are the symptoms of arachnoid cysts?
The vast majority of arachnoid cysts produce no symptoms. When they do, symptoms of an arachnoid cyst range from mild to severe. They depend on the location and size of the cyst and whether it’s pressing on nerves, the brain or the spinal cord. When symptoms do occur, they’re more likely to appear before age 20. They include:
- Headaches.
- Hydrocephalus (excess cerebrospinal fluid collects in the brain).
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Seizures.
- Vertigo and dizziness.
- Other symptoms vary depending on the location of the cyst. They include:
- Middle fossa region: Cysts in this area of the brain can cause problems with vision, hearing, movement and balance. They can lead to fatigue and weakness or paralysis, usually on one side of the body. Some children have neurological (nervous system) symptoms. These may include delays in development and changes in behavior.
- Suprasellar region: Cysts in this region can cause vision problems. They may also affect the endocrine system, which controls puberty and sexual development. Some people with suprasellar or posterior fossa arachnoid cysts bob their heads uncontrollably. They may move their heads side to side or in a circular motion (similar to a bobble-head doll).
- Spinal cord: Spinal arachnoid cysts can lead to numbness and tingling in the feet and hands, muscle spasms, movement problems and paralysis. Back pain and scoliosis are also common. Some people develop urinary tract infections from a spinal cyst.