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What Do Giddiness, Heaviness In Arm And Confusion Indicate?
Question: I am 51 and a couple of months ago had a mri scan after experiencing giddiness and heaviness in right arm. The scan showed sinusitis and a pineal cyst 1cm. Have always been a sleepy person since late teens but am now concerned its due to the cyst. Was told they are nothing to worry about and are very common? Yesterday at work I became very confused and was sent home. My ears are popping and keep getting a 'whooshing' sound which goes when I move my head from side to side and. Have been steaming as advised by doctor but all that seems to do is clear my nose. Any advice would be helpful
Brief Answer:
Read below.
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
Generally speaking pineal gland cysts are benign, they are very common, do not cause symptoms and do not need treatment as you have been told. However when they are of considerable size they may block the circulation of the cerebrospinal fluid in the brain causing build up of fluid in the ventricles, hydrocephalus. Usually that happens at bigger sizes than 1 cm, but still 1 cm is a size where it is a possibility. Symptoms of that happening are headache, nausea and vomiting, seizures, memory impairment, double vision etc. So in theory the confusion you describe can be a part of its manifestations, but not alone, some headache and other of those symptoms are also present.
As for the ear popping and whooshing sound they shouldn't be related. They are a common manifestation of upper airway infection. Upper airway infection includes apart from sinuses, nasal cavity, throat also commonly the ear as it is connected to the back of a throat through a tube called Eustachian tube.
So what I am trying to conclude is that I do not think it likely for your symptoms to be due to the cyst. For the moment I would regard as more useful an ENT (ear, nose, throat) specialist consult for the management of the upper airway inflammation.
I do think the pineal cyst needs follow up though. Even if you hopefully get better I still think follow up MRIs are necessary, the first one after 6-12 months and if it results unchanged more rarely at every 1-2 years. If on the other hand your symptoms get worse with increasing confusion, headache etc then exam must be repeated earlier to check for hydrocephalus and depending on the findings a neurosurgical consult may be necessary.
I remain at your disposal for other questions.
Read below.
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
Generally speaking pineal gland cysts are benign, they are very common, do not cause symptoms and do not need treatment as you have been told. However when they are of considerable size they may block the circulation of the cerebrospinal fluid in the brain causing build up of fluid in the ventricles, hydrocephalus. Usually that happens at bigger sizes than 1 cm, but still 1 cm is a size where it is a possibility. Symptoms of that happening are headache, nausea and vomiting, seizures, memory impairment, double vision etc. So in theory the confusion you describe can be a part of its manifestations, but not alone, some headache and other of those symptoms are also present.
As for the ear popping and whooshing sound they shouldn't be related. They are a common manifestation of upper airway infection. Upper airway infection includes apart from sinuses, nasal cavity, throat also commonly the ear as it is connected to the back of a throat through a tube called Eustachian tube.
So what I am trying to conclude is that I do not think it likely for your symptoms to be due to the cyst. For the moment I would regard as more useful an ENT (ear, nose, throat) specialist consult for the management of the upper airway inflammation.
I do think the pineal cyst needs follow up though. Even if you hopefully get better I still think follow up MRIs are necessary, the first one after 6-12 months and if it results unchanged more rarely at every 1-2 years. If on the other hand your symptoms get worse with increasing confusion, headache etc then exam must be repeated earlier to check for hydrocephalus and depending on the findings a neurosurgical consult may be necessary.
I remain at your disposal for other questions.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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