Cysts are small fluid-filled sacs that grow in the spinal cord and are most common in the neck area, but they can grow anywhere along the cord and press on nerves and other structures, resulting in some symptoms such as muscle weakness, dizziness, pain in the back and atrophy of the muscles, for example.
Normally, people are already born with cysts in the spinal cord, but, for little-known reasons, they only increase during adolescence or adulthood. The diagnosis of cysts in the spinal cord is performed with magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography and the treatment varies according to the severity of the symptoms.
Main symptoms
Symptoms of cyst in the spinal cord appear only when the cyst is large and compresses nerves and other structures, which can lead to the following symptoms:
- Progressive weakness of the legs;
- Spine deformation;
- Back pain;
- Spasms and tremors in the legs;
- Paralysis of the legs;
- Dizziness;
- Problem to move the eyes and to speak;
- Muscle atrophy.
In addition, some people may experience loss of sensitivity to pain or heat, and it is quite common for people with spinal cyst to experience burns and cuts without realizing it, since their sensitivity is reduced due to nerve compression.
Treatment for cyst in the spinal cord
The treatment for cyst in the spinal cord varies according to the symptoms presented by the person, as well as their severity. Usually the treatment involves draining the cyst to decrease the pressure on the spine and prevent it from reappearing. However, in some cases it may be necessary for the cyst to be removed by surgery.
If the cyst causes severe damage to the nerves of the spinal cord, drainage or surgical treatment may not be sufficient to recover lost functions. Thus, it is important that the person is accompanied by a physiotherapist so that the compromised functions can be stimulated and, thus, recovered progressively.
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