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What Does My MRI Scan Report Indicate?
Question: Hello, Recent MRI discovered an arachnoid cyst at the left vertex measuring 2.5 x 4.0 x 1.6 cm. it indents the left frontal lobe. No associated intracerebral gliosis or edema. Otherwise the ventricles, convexity sulci and basal cisterns are normal. No mass effect or area of signal abnormalities.
I understand this a big size. Your thoughts are appreciated.
I understand this a big size. Your thoughts are appreciated.
Brief Answer:
Still should be considered an incidental finding
Detailed Answer:
Hello. I have gone through your question and understand your concern.
Arachnoid cyst are common findings, as you may have been informed. Nowdays it is considered an incidental findings, not related to the reasons for which patient have MRI, usualky being headache.
The most important feature in the MRI is the absence of cerebral edema, meaning that there is no brain suffering, is not related to any symptom. Thus, should be considered an incidental finding.
Nowdays, there is no neurosurgical indication in such eventualities, and you should not worry about this.
Still, I recommend a follow up MRI after one year and compare the dimensions, to be sure the cyst is stable. In such eventuality I would do a next MRI after 5 years.
Hope this answers your questions, please feel free for further questions.
Wishing you good health.
Still should be considered an incidental finding
Detailed Answer:
Hello. I have gone through your question and understand your concern.
Arachnoid cyst are common findings, as you may have been informed. Nowdays it is considered an incidental findings, not related to the reasons for which patient have MRI, usualky being headache.
The most important feature in the MRI is the absence of cerebral edema, meaning that there is no brain suffering, is not related to any symptom. Thus, should be considered an incidental finding.
Nowdays, there is no neurosurgical indication in such eventualities, and you should not worry about this.
Still, I recommend a follow up MRI after one year and compare the dimensions, to be sure the cyst is stable. In such eventuality I would do a next MRI after 5 years.
Hope this answers your questions, please feel free for further questions.
Wishing you good health.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
hello and thank you for the quick reply.
i am worried about the size. thoughts?
i once suffered from severe headaches when i was younger (20s-30s) but now the headaches are infrequent (once a month). i also experience vertigo, mostly occurring we walking down stairs.
it is an incidental finding however it's large enough that i wondering if i need surgical invention. thought?
many thanks
i am worried about the size. thoughts?
i once suffered from severe headaches when i was younger (20s-30s) but now the headaches are infrequent (once a month). i also experience vertigo, mostly occurring we walking down stairs.
it is an incidental finding however it's large enough that i wondering if i need surgical invention. thought?
many thanks
Brief Answer:
not a neurosurgical indication
Detailed Answer:
Hello again.
At this moment I don't consider that there is a clinical correlation to the arachnoid cyst. The headache in several reports has not disappeared after surgery. Neither vertigo is not associated with the anatomical location of the lesion. Thus, not a clear surgical indication. Probably there will never be any need for surgery, unless there is increases in dimensions.
The only consideration in this case is its dimensions (if the dimensions were smaller you would not have to follow it radiologically)
Thats the reason why you should have radiological follow up in a years time.
Hope this helps. Wish you good health. GF
not a neurosurgical indication
Detailed Answer:
Hello again.
At this moment I don't consider that there is a clinical correlation to the arachnoid cyst. The headache in several reports has not disappeared after surgery. Neither vertigo is not associated with the anatomical location of the lesion. Thus, not a clear surgical indication. Probably there will never be any need for surgery, unless there is increases in dimensions.
The only consideration in this case is its dimensions (if the dimensions were smaller you would not have to follow it radiologically)
Thats the reason why you should have radiological follow up in a years time.
Hope this helps. Wish you good health. GF
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
Hello, last question.
Can you help me understand the dimensions?
What does 2.5 x 4.0 x 1.6 cm look like?
Is this feature indenting in my frontal left lobe 4.0 cm? Or is it 2.5 of 1.6cm?
MRI transcripts notes "mediolateral by AP by craniocaudal".
I can't seem to visually understand what this cyst looks like.
Many thanks.
Can you help me understand the dimensions?
What does 2.5 x 4.0 x 1.6 cm look like?
Is this feature indenting in my frontal left lobe 4.0 cm? Or is it 2.5 of 1.6cm?
MRI transcripts notes "mediolateral by AP by craniocaudal".
I can't seem to visually understand what this cyst looks like.
Many thanks.
Brief Answer:
size of a pigeon egg
Detailed Answer:
Hello.
The size of the cyst is that of a pigeon egg size. The orientation is like you said, 2.5 cm from the midline to lateral side, 4 cm from behind toward the frontal lobe and 1.6 from the upper surface extending downward.
Wish you the best health.
size of a pigeon egg
Detailed Answer:
Hello.
The size of the cyst is that of a pigeon egg size. The orientation is like you said, 2.5 cm from the midline to lateral side, 4 cm from behind toward the frontal lobe and 1.6 from the upper surface extending downward.
Wish you the best health.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Ashwin Bhandari
Hi again,
Could you also explain where it is?
"Left vertex" "left frontal lobe"
... Is that near my eye? Or the top of my head?
It appears that my cyst is not in common area as most are in the temporal lobes. Is this true?
Can am MRI tell if it is a primary or secondary cyst?
Also: cyst are often misdiagnosed but really tumors. Should I get a second MRI for confirmation?
Many thanks
Could you also explain where it is?
"Left vertex" "left frontal lobe"
... Is that near my eye? Or the top of my head?
It appears that my cyst is not in common area as most are in the temporal lobes. Is this true?
Can am MRI tell if it is a primary or secondary cyst?
Also: cyst are often misdiagnosed but really tumors. Should I get a second MRI for confirmation?
Many thanks
Brief Answer:
not a common place for an arachnoid cyst
Detailed Answer:
Hello again. I am glad to answer your question any time.
Basically, the common place for the arachnoid cyst is the sylvian fissure, which is between the frontal and temporal lobe. The vertex is the upper surface of the skull. It is a bine landmark, not a cerebral one. Since your cyst is a big one it involves both frontal and parietal lobe.
Now, I have not seen the MRI sequences, so I have no information to doubt about that being other than arachnoid cyst. For sure it is not a common place for AC. But if the radiologist assures you that is a AC then there is nothing to worry about.
Best regards
not a common place for an arachnoid cyst
Detailed Answer:
Hello again. I am glad to answer your question any time.
Basically, the common place for the arachnoid cyst is the sylvian fissure, which is between the frontal and temporal lobe. The vertex is the upper surface of the skull. It is a bine landmark, not a cerebral one. Since your cyst is a big one it involves both frontal and parietal lobe.
Now, I have not seen the MRI sequences, so I have no information to doubt about that being other than arachnoid cyst. For sure it is not a common place for AC. But if the radiologist assures you that is a AC then there is nothing to worry about.
Best regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Ashwin Bhandari
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