Arachnoid cysts (1453)

Key points below


What is an arachnoid cyst? 

Do they cause any problems?

Arachnoid cysts in the head can cause:headaches

Arachnoid cysts in the spinal cord can cause:

How are they treated?

If your child has symptoms from the cyst, surgery may be needed to drain the fluid out of the cyst.  Your child’s neurosurgeon will recommend 1 of 2 surgeries:

1. Cyst fenestration. Many small holes are made within the cyst. CSF drains from inside of the cyst to the space around the brain or spinal cord.
2. Shunting.  A shunt (thin tube) is placed in the cyst wall to drain the CSF into the abdomen.  From there it will be absorbed back into the bloodstream. 

ALERT

Call your child’s doctor, nurse, or clinic if you have any questions or concerns or if your child has special health care needs that were not covered by this information.