I got my scan back and said i have a prominent cisterna magna ...Please explain what this kind of tumor can do...Thanks
123407
From what I understand, a prominent cisterna magna is an incidental finding.  It is something you were born with and does not cause any problems with your health.  I would liken it to this scenario.  You are suffering with  a backache and get lumbar spine x-rays.  The x-rays show 6 lumbar vertebra instead of the normal 5.  It is the way you were born, and does not contribute to the backache.  I searched webmd for "prominent cisterna magna" and found a few articles.  Here are some excerpts:\n\nPROMINENT CISTERNA MAGNA \n\nThis represents a normal anatomic variant and should not be confused with pathology.\n\nAND:\nWe have fantastic news!  Madeline has a prominent cisterna magna, and NOT an arachnoid cyst.  Some people have big ears, a big nose, etc.  Madeline has a "big" cisterna magna.  The cerebral spinal fluid collects in the cisterna magna, which of course everyone has.  Madeline's is just extremely prominent and completely "normal".  It doesn't need to be followed up with MRI's or anything.  She probably had it her entire life, and it will always stay this size.  This should not affect her life at all.  The doctor said we should just think about taking care of her post-cancer treatment and not her cisterna magna.  We are just so relieved.
428476
Have any of the Drs. ordered any tests? If it is a bulging disc or bone spur, an MRI would show that. If an MRI comes back negative, then it is something else. \nAsk your Dr. for a referral to a neurologist. That will be the best bet in getting accurate testing, diagnosis and treatment. \n I have a bulging disc and bone spur and it is horribly painful. My family Dr. was unable to find a problem, but the neurologist immediately ordered an MRI and the problem was spotted. \n\nGood Luck!
590466
Go to a doctor,and tell him what s going on with you. Perhaps, he/she will order a MRI or a CAT scan of your Brain. Medical history,of your family could play a part of it.  Look in the phone book,if you don't have a doctor& set up a appointment VERY SOON! \nP.s be sure to tell the doctor EVERY THING that has been going on with your health!\n Do Not Let It Go On, not checked!!!!!!!!\nI'll pray for u, intill then...God Bless
319018
I would say go back and see if the test is normal this time round.  I had a smear and cervical cancer diagnosed.  Because it was treated and removed in the early stages I was able to have 2 more children and I went for regular smears 2 a month and then once a month and then twice a year and I am still clear now and lead a normal life.  I only had a historectomy 10 years after the cancer was removed.  Please have it seen to asap
588175
I know you are only looking for professional medical opinions, but I think I can help. It is important to get a CT scan, an MRI or PET if your doctor thinks it would be better. Also an EEG, sleeping and awake could be helpful. There is a slim possibity that a tumor or anurism could form in two years time, even with a neuroligist near by. If your nero does not take your concerns seiously, consiter getting a second oppinion. I have seen four different neuros, switching for different reasons. The fear of the unknown is severe, so be sure to get an answer and consiter joining a support group even if you are completly healthy. The return of symptoms after a reprieve is horific, I know from experience, but keep up hope.
556213
Stop worrying.  It most likely is a cyst.  Your doctor if your are concerned enough will probably get an ultrasound of the area.  And Friday is okay.  If it is really upsetting up, see the doctor sooner.  I know how it is to have something occupy your mind like this.  We all have a tendency to think the worst but in reality its probably nothing.  If seeing the doctor earlier will reassure you then see the doc earlier.  No need to loose sleep  over it.
593996
A new blood clot could maybe be there, perhaps there is enough lateral flow to keep the swelling subsided.  But I'm thinking more likely it could be a lymphatic problem and fluid is accumulating lymphatically.  Definitely keep on top of this with your doctor!  Get well!
332550
Kerrie-\n\nWow, that's a big question.  First of all I'm a parent, not a neurosurgeon so don't take this as gospel.  My daughter is almost five and has spina bifida, hydrocephalus and Chiari-2 malformation.  She also has a g-tube (more on that later) but has not suffered from seizures.  She has had the Chiari surgery (it's called decompression) at a very young age-about 13 mos-because her Chiari is pretty pronounced and prior to the surgery she would quickly become sympomatic if her shunt failed (I think we're on about the 20th shunt!).  She was also de-tethered at the beginning of last year because of severe lower back pain.\n\nBasically Chiari means that the brain is shifted down and back in the skull.  This forces the brain stem down into a sort of funnel where it connects to the spinal cord.  When pressure builds in the brain the stem is compressed and nerves are temporarily or permanently damaged.  Typically the nerves that are affected control upper neck and head stuff- breathing, swallowing, vocal cord mobility, etc.  My daughter's cords were paralyzed at 6 mos which caused stridor and aspiration of small amounts of food- hence the g-tube.  During the Chiari decompression surgery bone is removed from around the brain stem making more room for the stem- when the pressure increases there is less effect on the nerves in the stem because there is more room.\n\nTethered cord means that the cord is attached to either the spinal column or scar tissue (in the case of spina bifida).  As the person grows the cord is stretched instead of floating in the CSF in the column.  Stretching the cord usually causes a loss of mobility but can cause back pain.  Actually you are the first parent I've heard from whose child is experiencing pain like my daughter did- usually mobility is the issue.\n\nIs your son suffering from lower back pain?  I haven't heard of Chiari causing back pain but I'm a salesman, not a neurosurgeon.  What I have learned is that the brain and spinal cord are all floating in one interconnected and balanced system of fluid.  Pressure building in one part of the system can cause issues with other parts of the system.  Unfortunately I've also learned that neurosurgery is basically a science of highly educated opinions.  Only so much can show up on an MRI and there are no hard-and-fast rules.  Some kids can tolerate a lot of ventrical pressure and some can't.  Some kids have severe Chiari but are never decompressed because they never show any symptoms- basically their nervous systems can just deal with it.  Some kids lose mobility when their cords are tehtered and others are in pain... you get the point.  At the end of the day it comes down to how much you trust and respect the surgeon and what they are basing their actions on.\n\nI still haven't answered your question, have I?  If your son is experiencing back I would think it's probably caused by the tethered cord so it makes sense that the surgeon wants to do that first.  It really doesn't matter, anyway.  If the cord is tethered that has to be fixed whether it's the cause of the pain or not.  For my daughter the de-tethering was much more difficult to recover from than the decompression surgery but the surgeons were clear that because of the amount of scar tissue from her spina bifida repair that it was probably the most complicated one they had seen.  The decompression was much simlpler- surgery took a few hours and she was home in a week.  It took her a while to get full mobility back in her neck (the surgery is done at the base of the neck) but that was just from the surgical pain.  The Chiari symptoms eased almost instantly and the whole thing was behind us in a month or so.  De-tethering was a much longer procedure with 6+ weeks in the hospital but again her procedure was VERY complicated because of her unique circumstances.  The pain went away after the surgery healed and two months after surgery she wa
263024
I'm a guy, but my wife had one done last year.  She said that after numbness went away, it did hurt a little.  I hope that you'll be okay and hope that they don't find anyhting wrong after doing the biopsy.  My prayers are with you.  Good Luck!!
535060
Hi there - I had CIN III and had to have LLETZ surgery to remove it - since I am an extremely nervous patient with anything to do with "that area" they put me under general anasthetic - having CIN II or III does not mean you have cancer or anywhere near it - it means you have cell changes which - left untreated - could one day turn to cancer - you are been treated though so have nothing to worry about - they laser out your bad cells and normally this does the trick - you go back to normal by your next smear check - on the odd occasion where the fisrt time doesn't work you go back again, remeber though - you are unlikely to get cancer - those who DON'T get checked out are more likely to.  I had my last one 5 weeks ago and I have to say the biggest ball ache of all has not been able to have sex with my fella!!! I bled for about 10 days - I had pain in my belly but only as bad as period pains and I still feel the odd twinge now and then - I have had the all clear from my doctor and now have to look forward to a smear in March to see if for the first time in 9 years I might get a NEGATIVE smear!!!!!!!!  fingers crossed!! \n\nGood luck with your surgery - its not pleasant - anything down there is never pleasant at the doctors, but it is bearable and you will be fine!!
214040
go see a neurologist. get an mri scan. it could be nothing. it could be something. but don't take it casually. get in touch with your family physician and see if he can recommend a neurologist who could diagnose what you have.
253283
I just passed my four year anniversary for the removal of my 4 x 7 cm left frontal meningioma. It was pushing the left side of my brain into the right. That first MRI was a scary one.\n\nTwo years ago, I was faded off dilantin/zonegran on the same slow and steady rate without problem. I hadn't had a seizure, but scans showed "abnormal activity" that could be seizure related. My neurologist said after surgery for a brain tumor you'd expect there to be some "abnormal activity".  Dilantin made me so tired it was great being free from it. \n\nGood Luck, there are more of us out there than you think.
52525
I don't understand your question. Until emptiness? Are you talking about hydrocephalus or some other disease state?\n\nEDIT: Hmm. Now I better understand your question, but I have to admit I don't know the answer, it's not my area. It does sound rather severe. A Neurosurgeon is the best person to ask, if you have not already had an appointment with one. Is this congenital (child was born with this)?
154903
I have Disc degenerative disease and 4 colapsed discs and 2 buldging and central canal stenosis. I have not had surgery but did have shots and I went down hill from there and the medical bills went uphill. It was sugessted a double fusion for me. L4 L5 & S1. It was sugessted decompression for me too by famiy doc. I did not do it yet. Can't walk in the morning and without pain med, I can't do anything. I live in the Chicago area and there is a spinal specialist in OLympia Fields I saw and he sugested the double fusion and said I am messed up. he did give me a 200.00 brace that helps. I hope to feel good again someday. I was told by doc that decompression works 70 percent of the time. It did not work for my sister. I was also told by the therapist that unless you have 20 of the decompression treatments, it is worthless. My insurance will only allow 9. I was thinking about surgery so I did ask here and got mixed answers. Still confused. 50 percent better you say? Hmmmm was that from the surgery or shots. I would never have a needle in my back again, I should have listened to others that had it done. I hope you can get SSD in the mean time and hope you get well.  I hope to find a mattresss to help in the meanwhile too.
425565
I think you should get medical advice as soon as possible,  sudden worsening of any pain should be checked out.  If this was an expected effect of the scan, I'm sure you would have been told at the time.
351819
you need to see a dr and have it removed\nto make sure\nit could just be a benign cyst\nbut don;t tale chances in case it could be malignant\nbest of luck
369986
GO BACK!!!It could be something serious that could be deadly!Tell him you want him to run test to see if  its a  tumor!!If he won't go to a different Dr.