Hi there,

There are 10mm in 1 cm, so your cyst now measures.

2.2 x 2.0 x 3.0 cm.

Do not be surprised if Drs insist it is asymptomatic, they often do contrary to all evidence.

Dave.

Thank you so much for your reply. The problem is that I don't understand what the difference between the cm value in the old MRI which was only two values when the new MRI, which is in mm has three values. Please forgive my stubborn ignorance! I can determine the speed of two vehicles prior to a collision using a graphing calculator but simple math is impossible to me. Did the cyst get bigger between 2012 and last week? I can get a picture of what 3.1 x 1.6 cm looks like as far as size but the three values is messing with my radar. Lol

No experience with Arachnoid cysts, but I'm guessing that one is width, one is height and one is anteroposterior diameter.

I'm not sure what order it is though. Hopefully someone will know.

[anteroposterior diameter is a view taken from front to back through the cyst]

Possibly the tech reading the images was more detailed in the report , or the MRI system is been upgraded and better /cleared image.. so better measurements?

Is there an Impression section on the MRI report? What does it say..

"IMPRESSION
1. Stable simple right middle cranial fossa arachnoid cyst.
2. No acute infarct, hemorrhage or increased mass effect."

I take #2 as it hasn't grown but I don't trust any doctors or specialists when the majority of the information that I have studied shows that they will dismiss anything that isn't bleeding or ruptured.

I believe I have figured it out. But the missing third value in the old MRI is aggravating. The total volume from the first is 4.96 cm but the new volume is 13.2 cm. Did it grow or was the first MRI reader sleeping on the job? I am trying to gather as much evidence as I can to PROVE without a doubt that the cyst is not asymptomatic. I am corresponding with the NORD and I have yet to find the first case where cognitive defects were the only symptom without massive pain. I hope with all of my might that they will listen. I believe with all of my heart that if they can remove this insidious growth from my brain and publish it, maybe those out there who are suffering from a "benign" monster can get their lives back. In my case, I don't know what that life is.

The difference in length, 3.1 to 3.0cm is minimal and can be put down to the Dr/Radiographer determining the edge of the cyst.

The difference with the other measurements, I would say, is that your earlier measurement of 1.6cm was made on a cyst which was tubular. Now, it has expanded by 0.4 and 0.6cm to 2.0cm width and 2.2cm depth, so it is slightly flattened now.

That is just my take on it, but the measurements are definitely showing expansion.

Hope that is easier to understand.

Oh, there are 2.54cm in an inch.

Dave.

If it is getting bigger in three years, I hypothesize that I can get the doctors to believe that it needs to be removed. If it hasn't grown then I will have an uphill battle against the naysayers that believe that AC's are asymptomatic. It's hard trying to determine whether or not to tell the truth in order to secure freedom from ICP.

Mine is at the base of my brain, I have had years of unexplained weakness and numbness on my left side, over and above accident damage. Between '07 and '13 it grew 'significantly' according to my Neuro. I also have early-onset mental issues like Depressive Personality Disorder/Anxiety issues which some attribute to Arachnoid Cysts where present.

Of course, when you have a large lump pressing on parts of your brain, Neuros are loath to admit it may be doing anything at all.

Dave.

This is the part that I do not understand. While I am not familiar with whether or not your cyst can be surgically removed, but if it can, why not do it? It seems that one who is suffering from emotional/mental issues caused by an AC has to suffer through the anxiety until their lives are ruined by the cyst and only when one foot is in the grave and the other on a banana peel will doctors decide to operate. I believe this to be torture. I guess it's just easier to chalk it all up to one being a schizophrenic than to address the cause for the schizophrenia. I wish you luck Dave and I hope they can get you fixed up. I have simply had to learn how to be a productive hermit.