Should I be worried about a pineal cyst?

Pineal cysts usually have no clinical implications and remain asymptomatic for years. The most common symptoms include headache, vertigo, visual and oculomotor disturbances, and obstructive hydrocephalus.

Can a pineal cyst cause vision problems?

Pineal cyst. This happens on the pineal gland in the middle of the brain. This type of cyst often only shows up during imaging scans done for another reason. Pineal cysts seldom cause problems. If they do grow large, they can sometimes affect vision.

When should a pineal cyst be removed?

Most pineal cysts will not require surgical removal. However, a doctor might suggest surgery if the cysts become larger than 2 centimeters. Surgery involves making a small hole in the cyst to release the fluid, which will drain into the brain’s fluid spaces.

Are pineal cysts normal?

Pineal gland cysts are common. As many as 2 percent of healthy adults develop this kind of cyst. Rarely does a pineal gland cyst cause headaches or any other symptoms. In most cases, no treatment is necessary for a pineal gland cyst.

Can a pineal cyst make you tired?

Pineal Cysts are known to cause seizures, migraines, nausea, paranoia, fatigue, memory problems, and more.

Can a pineal cyst cause depression?

CONCLUSIONS: Pineal cysts can present with vague and unusual symptoms such as weakness, fatigue, depression, loss of appetite and weight loss that must be kept in the differential diagnosis.

What can a pineal cyst cause?

Although most pineal cysts are small, large pineal cysts can cause a variety of symptoms such as: headaches, normal pressure hydrocephalus (increased pressure on the brain due to build-up excess fluid), and even seizures and loss of consciousness in extreme cases.

Do pineal cysts require surgery?

Is surgery needed? Very few pineal cysts require surgery. Most patients with a cyst have an MRI done and one is found incidentally, and they do not need treatment. Most patients who need surgery have a cyst larger than 2 cm.

What causes pineal cysts to grow?

The exact cause of pineal cysts is unknown. However, since they are seen most frequently in young women, one common hypothesis is that hormonal changes play a role in their formation. As women age, the cyst initially increases and then eventually decreases in size, following a similar pattern to hormonal stages.

Should pineal cysts be monitored?

Conclusions: Incidental pineal cysts typically show a benign course. In the adult population, they do not require long-term neurosurgical follow-up, because pineal cysts tend to remain a stable size. In asymptomatic patients, we recommend a single follow-up MRI scan at 12 months to confirm diagnosis.

What are the symptoms of a pineal cyst?

The cyst is rarely symptomatic; however, when symptoms do occur, they are difficult to attribute specifically to the pineal cyst. Typical symptoms include headache, eye movement problems, vision disruption, and hydrocephalus (fluid backup in the brain).

Can a pineal cyst be a benign tumor?

Pineal cysts are common, occurring in about 1-5% of the population. These cysts are benign, which means not malignant or cancerous. Sometimes an MRI of the pineal cyst needs to be repeated with an intravenous contrast (dye) to rule out a pineal tumor.

Do you need an MRI for a pineal cyst?

Sometimes an MRI of the pineal cyst needs to be repeated with an intravenous contrast (dye) to rule out a pineal tumor. The cyst is rarely symptomatic; however, when symptoms do occur, they are difficult to attribute specifically to the pineal cyst.

How many pineal gland tumors are there in adults?

Pineal gland tumors are rare and account for 1% of all intracranial tumors in adults. However, in children, they amount to 8%. Due to the variety of tumors in this area, characteristics and epidemiology vary greatly.