Cysts in Brain Cause Chronic Pain

Arachnoid cysts are sacs filled with cerebrospinal fluid that appear between the brain and spinal cord and a membrane that covers them both (called the arachnoid membrane). These cysts fall into two categories:

 

• Primary cysts: Cysts that are present at birth due to developmental problems in the fetus.
• Secondary cysts: Cysts that occur because of head trauma, meningitis, tumors, or brain surgery.

Arachnoid cysts can compress the spinal cord, which causes chronic leg pain and chronic back pain, as well as headaches, nausea, balance problems, and problems with sight and hearing.

 

Clinicians may use a brain scan to confirm an arachnoid cyst. Larger cysts can be drained via surgery, which usually resolves symptoms. Smaller cysts may be monitored if they aren’t causing chronic pain, but an untreated cyst may expand and damage the spinal cord.

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