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My 3 Y/o Grand Daughter Has Been Diagnosed With A Thornwaldts Cyst, She Has Had A Head Ache For The Past 2 Days, What Do You Suggest For This ?
hi, my 3 y/o grand daughter has been diagnosed with a thornwaldt's cyst. she has had a head ache for the past 2 days, she says her throat hurts but is not red, she has been very clingy & crying. she has had her adenoids, tonsils out & ear tubes. the ENT she saw last week said he thought she had allergies. she was tested today & all were negative. what do you suggest
Thu, 2 Sep 2010
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Dr. Sumit Bhatti's
Response
Being diagnosed with a Thornwaldt's Cyst at the age of 3 would make her one of the youngest cases ever in this world. Theoretically, it's a benign lesion present from birth. It is usually diagnosed after 15 years of age. I was just wondering at what age her Adenoidectomy was performed? I will suggest screening CT and detailed MRI scanning this time around. You will have to rule out other similar conditions like remnant adenoid tissue, Adenoid Retention Cyst, Rathke's Pouch, Encephalocele and other rarer conditions. A true Thornwaldt's Cyst may require surgical excision or endoscopic marsupialization.
At 3 years, she might be experiencing her first headache. This makes a child fearful and cranky. Consult your Paediatrician and ENT Specialist for medication to control these symptoms.
At 3 years, she might be experiencing her first headache. This makes a child fearful and cranky. Consult your Paediatrician and ENT Specialist for medication to control these symptoms.
thornwaldts cyst occurs in the space behind the nose[nasopharynx].confirm its presence by a mri.if the diagnosis is confirmed by mri scan,she will need surgical removal of this cyst.her headache and sore throat at present may be due to a upper respiratory tract infection.see a pediatrician or an ent.
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mcelder's
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She has had 2 MRI's both confirming she has a "good sized" thornwaldt's cyst. She was seen last week by the ENT that removed her tonsils, adenoids & put in ear tubes. He thought her symptoms were allergies so was tested yesterday & all were negative. She also is a very restless sleeper & wakes frequently in the night. She has always had poor balance, late walker, numerous falls. Could this cyst become infected or inflamed to cause the head ache? She woke from her nap yesterday & said her head hurt & vomited. What should we do?
User's Response
Dr. Sumit Bhatti's
Response
If the MRI's have confirmed that she has a Thornwaldt's cyst and if infection is suspected, you can plan for an immediate drainage (& culture), followed by surgical excision or endoscopic marsupialization. If her headache persists or worsens or if her vomiting is projectile, it may require a guarded lumber puncture to investigate the cause and to rule out meningitis. ( A Thornwaldt's cyst is a remnant of the connection between the pharynx and brain in the normal developing embryo). Her imbalance may be due to secondary ear infection. Her sleep disorder could be due to the nasal obstruction and infection caused by the Thornwaldt's cyst. Rarer causes of imbalance and in-coordination can be ruled out later.
Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.
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