A 20-year-old female asked:
I have an arachnoid cyst and a chiari 1 malformation. how will a neurosurgeon know which one is causing my tinitus, dizziness, and nausea?
2 doctor answers • 3 doctors weighed in
Dr. Tung Nguyenanswered
Neurosurgery 33 years experience
Working diagnosis: It depends on the location of the cyst, the extent of the chiari malformation on mri, what other symptoms you might have (difficulty swallowing, arm/legs symptoms, reflex changes). You might need an evaluation by an ear-nose-throat surgeon to see if there is a problem with the hearing and balance nerves. It becomes about choosing the most likely explanation after all the info are available.
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6.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Dr. Kevin Tealanswered
Neurosurgery 32 years experience
Cyst Location: Unless the arachnoid cyst is in the area called your posterior fossa , the back of your skull area, the dizziness would more likely be related to a chiari. The tinnitus should be assessed by ENT with hearing test. The nausea if it is exertional may be a sign of vertigo or due to the chiari if associated with a headache. I agree you need some workup to tease things out.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Similar questions
A 20-year-old female asked:
I have a dizziness, tinitus, and nausea from an arachnoid cyst and a chiari 1 malformation. Is there medicine that can help this?
1 doctor answer • 5 doctors weighed in
Dr. Larry Armstronganswered
Neurosurgery 29 years experience
Are you sure?: Did your neurosurgeon or neurologist diagnose the arachnoid cyst as the cause of your dizziness and tinnitus?
If not, you may want their opinion as to whether this is really the cause of your symptoms.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A Verified Doctor commented
A US doctor answered Learn more
work closely with your neurosurgeon about your Chiari I malformation. If you are having seizure, drops attack, loss of conciouness, respiratory problems, severe headaches, neck pain then surgery would be the best alternative.
Feb 8, 2012
Last updated Oct 3, 2016
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