Brain Cyst treatment and diagnostics abroad

A brain cyst is a fluid-filled cavity in the brain tissue or its coverings. Most cysts are benign, are found by chance on an MRI and need no treatment; only cysts that grow or cause symptoms are operated on.

Below are neurosurgery clinics abroad: compare their capabilities, doctors and prices.

Types of brain cysts

• Arachnoid cyst — the most common, usually congenital, filled with cerebrospinal fluid.
• Pineal cyst — a frequent incidental finding that rarely causes symptoms.
• Colloid cyst — in the third ventricle; it can block the flow of cerebrospinal fluid and therefore needs attention.
• Dermoid and epidermoid cysts — rare congenital cysts.
• Choroid plexus cysts — often seen on fetal ultrasound and usually disappear on their own.

Symptoms

Most cysts cause no symptoms. When a cyst is large or growing, there may be headache, nausea, dizziness, seizures, vision or coordination problems, and in children an enlarging head.

Diagnosis

• MRI — identifies the type of cyst and distinguishes it from a tumor; repeat scans show whether it is growing;
• CT — when MRI is not possible and in emergencies.

Treatment

• Observation — for cysts without symptoms, with follow-up MRI.
• Endoscopic fenestration or removal — a minimally invasive operation through a small opening in the skull.
• Microsurgical removal — for colloid, dermoid and large cysts.
• Shunting — when the flow of cerebrospinal fluid is blocked.

Among the clinics on Clinics Direct, such operations are performed, for example, at Acibadem Hospitals (Turkey) and Delfos Clinic (Spain). The full list is in the neurosurgery section.

Send your MRI to Clinics Direct coordinators — we will obtain a neurosurgeon's opinion and treatment prices free of charge.