What is arachnoidal changes in the liquorcystic nature

1 Causes of an

cyst The cyst can be congenital or become a consequence of a previous illness.

1. The walls of the congenital( primary) cyst consist of cells of the arachnoid shell, which secrete spinal fluid. It is formed before the birth of the child, as a rule, does not cause any symptoms and is an accidental finding, when an MRI picture of arachnoid changes in the liquorokistoznogo character is visible for the identification of other diseases.
2. The secondary cyst can have a variety of causes: meningitis, cerebral operations, inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. Such a cyst can also not last for a long time, the first symptoms can appear only a few years after its occurrence. The walls of such a cyst are made up of scar tissue.

2 Symptoms of the disease

If the arachnoid cyst causes any neurological symptoms, then they depend on its location. They are associated with the fact that a large cyst exerts a mechanical pressure on the areas of the brain located next to it.

1. Most often it is in the middle cranial fossa, and the resulting damage to the midbrain is manifested in hearing and vision impairments, hallucinations, severe headaches, dizziness and nausea. In more severe cases, coordination disorders, paralysis, paresis and hemiparesis, convulsions and mental disorders are possible.
2. Pathology in the posterior cranial fossa, if it is in the region of the brainstem, causes an increase in pressure in the spinal canal and inside the skull, which causes intervertebral hernias and secondary hydrocephalus. It can also cause abnormalities in the digestive, cardiovascular and respiratory systems, the violation of thermoregulation. In the cerebellum it causes abnormalities of gait, coordination, involuntary jittery eyes( nystagmus), decreased muscle tone.
3. In the temporal region, pathology, as a rule, does not give any symptoms. If it is manifested, then infringements of hearing and coordination, violations of oral and written speech may occur.
4. If it is in the anterior cranial fossa, then there is a so-called frontal symptomatology - a decrease in the level of intelligence, motivation, emotional impoverishment, inarticulate speech. One of the bright markers of the lesion of the frontal region is characterized by elongated lips in the form of a tubule.

Regardless of localization, pathology can cause increased intracranial pressure, headaches, dizziness, impaired coordination, increased fatigue and drowsiness, possibly the development of epileptic syndrome.

3 Diagnostic Methods

It is impossible to diagnose an arachnoid cyst based solely on symptoms.

The main method of its diagnosis is MRI.In the photographs, arachnoidal changes of the liquorcystic nature look like formations of dark color, with clearly defined contours, most often rounded.

Also, studies are being performed to identify signs of impaired blood flow to the brain, infectious or autoimmune diseases. Conduct a neurological diagnosis in order to reveal the depth of neurological disorders.

4 How the therapy of pathology

is conducted When an MR-picture of arachnoidal changes of a liquorokistozny character is revealed, the question of the cyst treatment is solved. Indications for surgical intervention are:

• the presence of neurological disorders;
• is a large or enlarged cyst;
• cyst in the region of the brain stem.

In the absence of symptoms, there is no need for treatment, since surgery on the brain can provoke inflammatory diseases of the brain and its membranes.

In an arachnoid cyst, several types of surgery are performed:

1. Endoscopic or microsurgical cyst shunting. The essence of the operation is that a shunt is inserted into the cyst cavity, which serves to divert the CSF from the cyst( most often into the internal jugular vein).This method has two significant advantages: the shunt allows you to permanently withdraw the liquor from the cyst, the walls of which are lined with the liquor-producing epithelium;endoscopic intervention can reduce the traumatic nature of the operation to a minimum. The only drawback is that the shunt functions due to the pressure difference, and it is possible to get blood into it, clot formation and blockage of the shunt, which leads to a sharp deterioration in the patient's condition. Nevertheless, this method of treatment is considered the main one.

1. Removal of cerebrospinal fluid. Single operation, which allows to clean the cavity of the cyst. At present, it is practically not used, since a single removal of CSF does not provide a permanent effect.

1. Excision of the cyst. The most radical operation, which allows to eliminate the cause of the disease. For this, trepanation of the skull is performed and a part of the arachnoid shell is excised along with the cyst. Advantages of the method is that the cyst is removed completely and can not recur, the disadvantage is its greater traumatism and the risk of postoperative complications.

If surgical treatment is not possible( for example, because of the position of the cyst that does not allow the operation), then drug therapy is performed. It includes drugs that affect the course of the underlying disease, which can cause cysts: immunomodulators, if necessary - antiviral drugs and antibiotics, drugs that improve blood flow to the brain.

5 Therapeutic regimen for

disease The main condition for good health in the presence of an arachnoid cyst of the brain( operated or not operated) is the observance of the treatment regimen. The patient should adhere to the daily routine and especially - the regime of work and rest, refrain from alcohol, strong coffee, energy and drugs that increase the tone of the nervous system.

The intake of any drugs that affect the nervous system and vascular tone should be coordinated with the neurologist. Do not recommend extreme and dangerous sports, driving, activities related to work at height or near moving machinery.