Intracranial cysts are cerebrospinal fluid covered by arachnoidal cells and collagen that may develop between the surface of the brain and the cranial base or on the arachnoid membrane, one of the three membranes that cover the brain and the spinal cord. Intracranial cysts are a congenital disorder, and most cases begin during infancy; however, onset may be delayed until adolescence.
Syringomyelia is a generic term referring to a disorder in which a cyst or cavity forms within the spinal cord. This cyst, called a syrinx, can expand and elongate over time, destroying the spinal cord. This damage may result in pain, weakness, and stiffness in the back, shoulders, and extremities. Syringomyelia may also cause a loss of the ability to feel extremes of hot or cold, especially in the hands.
A variety of procedures may be used to decompress (remove pressure from) an intracranial cyst, including a cerebral shunt. Surgery is the only viable treatment for syringomyelia, although not all patients will advance to a stage where surgery is required.
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