Table of contents hide 1 What are the causes of the cyst in the pineal gland? 2 Signs and symptoms of Pineal cyst or cyst of the pineal gland 3 What are the different tumors that affect the pineal gland? 4 Tests to diagnose the pineal cyst or pineal gland cyst

Pineal cysts are non-cancerous bags filled with fluid, and exist in the area of ​​the pineal gland of the brain. Small cysts are 5 mm or less and commonly occur by chance during neurological exams . The cyst in the pineal gland almost causes no sign.

The pineal cyst rarely causes symptoms, however these symptoms include: headache, singular vision and high pressure in the brain due to the accumulation of immoderated cerebrospinal fluid, which is also known as hydrocephalus; severe seizure and loss of consciousness that can be caused by a larger than normal pineal cyst.

What are the causes of the cyst in the pineal gland?

The main cause of the cyst in the pineal gland is unknown, however, there is a theory that proposes that the growth of the pineal cyst in young women is contributed by hormonal influences during pregnancy or menstruation . As women age, the cyst initially increases and then decreases in size over time, following a pattern similar to the hormonal stages. For men, they tend to remain stable over time.

The other theory suggests that the sequential growth of the pineal cyst is caused by bleeding in the pineal area . An existing pineal cyst can grow and become asymptomatic due to hemorrhage in the pineal area.

The compression of the surrounding structures by a cyst causes the appearance of a cyst in the pineal gland . The compression of the Sylvius aqueduct, which is a structure that facilitates the passage of excess cerebrospinal fluid causes hydrocephalus. In case the quadrigeminal plate is compressed, Parinaud's syndrome occurs .

In other cases, choroid plexus cells have been noted in the lining of the cyst walls. It is believed that the cells are part of the process of ionic flows, which cause the enlargement of pineal cysts by attracting water.

Signs and symptoms of Pineal cyst or cyst of the pineal gland

Headaches are the signs and symptoms related to the symptomatic pineal cyst or the cyst in the primary pineal gland . Headaches can occur in three ways: chronic, unstable headaches; In the short term, repetitive and gradual headaches, or persistent headaches . Pineal cyst symptoms occur after hydrocephalus or due to the compression of particular structures in the brain, around the pineal area.

Hydrocephalus is a condition that is characterized by increased pressure in the brain as a result of the accumulation of excessive cerebrospinal fluid in the skull. The symptoms of hydrocephalus include : headaches, nausea, vomiting, seizures, lethargy and papillae edema.

Those affected may have other symptoms before compression of the structures around the pineal area of ​​the brain . Symptoms include: diplopia, which is double vision, blurred vision, dizziness, ataxia, which is the inability to coordinate voluntary movements and Parinaud syndrome.

Rarely, some additional symptoms may occur. These include; Syncope, which is the loss of consciousness, the change in mental state and hemorrhage in the cyst in the pineal gland which is known as the pineal stroke . Pineal stroke has caused four deaths of people with symptomatic pineal cyst or pineal gland cyst.

The following disorders have symptoms that are similar to a symptomatic pineal cyst or symptoms of the pineal gland cyst . However, the comparison is useful for differential diagnosis:

What are the different tumors that affect the pineal gland?

There are different tumors that affect the pineal gland that have been recognized. These include: teratomas, germinomas, pineocytomas, gliomas, pinoeblastomas and choriocarcinomas.

The cyst in the pineal gland causes tumors in the pineal region to compress the surrounding structures, leading to different symptoms such as: headaches, nausea, vision abnormalities, vomiting and increased pressure in the brain due to the accumulation of excess cerebrospinal fluid . Other pineal tumors appear as pineal cyst or pineal gland cyst, making them difficult to distinguish.

Tests to diagnose the pineal cyst or pineal gland cyst

The diagnosis of symptomatic pineal cyst or pineal gland cyst can be diagnosed after a detailed clinical evaluation of the person presumed to be affected, the patient's history, recognition of typical symptoms and the results of specific studies, mainly computed tomography and magnetic resonance.

Computed tomography is used for the diagnosis of pineal cyst or cyst in the pineal gland : During a CT scan, a film is created to show the cross - sectional images of the brain structure through the use of a computer and x-rays .

The use of magnetic resonance imaging is also used for the diagnosis of pineal cyst: During the use of magnetic resonance imaging, the cross-sectional images of the brain are formed by the use of field and magnetic radio waves .

It is important to differentiate between symptomatic pineal cysts of pineal tumors, since in some pineal tumors they appear as a cyst of the pineal gland, so it is difficult to distinguish them from pineal cyst without the use of a microscope, by examining the tissues affected.

AUTHOR: JoT333, editor of the great family of hermandadblanca.org