Cyst in the head: what it is, main symptoms and how to treat

The cyst on the head is usually a benign tumor that can be filled with fluid, tissue, blood or air and that usually arises during pregnancy, shortly after birth or throughout life and can occur on both the skin and the brain. The cyst in the head can disappear, increase in size or cause symptoms when it is located in the brain, such as headache, nausea, dizziness and problems with balance.

The diagnosis of cyst in the head is made by a neurologist, in the case of cyst in the brain, and can be performed during pregnancy, through ultrasound, or after the appearance of the first symptoms through computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging. The skin cyst is diagnosed by a dermatologist by assessing the characteristics of the cyst. After diagnosis, there must be medical monitoring, because depending on the size and symptoms caused by the cyst, it may be indicated to perform the removal by surgery.

Main types of cyst in the head

Cysts on the head are usually formed during pregnancy, but they can also appear due to a blow to the head or infections in the mother's brain or uterus. Find out what are the causes and other types of cyst in the brain.

The main types of cyst in the head are:

1. Arachnoid cyst

The arachnoid cyst may have a congenital cause, that is, it may be present in the newborn, being called a primary cyst, or be due to some infection or trauma, being called a secondary cyst. This type of cyst is usually asymptomatic and is characterized by the accumulation of fluid between the membranes covering the brain. However, depending on its size, it can cause some symptoms, such as fainting, dizziness or balance problems. Find out what are the symptoms, causes and treatment of the arachnoid cyst.

2. Vascular plexus cyst

The vascular plexus cyst is rare, occurring in only 1% of fetuses, and is characterized by the accumulation of fluids in a brain cavity, usually in a region of the brain where there is dead tissue. This type of cyst can be diagnosed by ultrasound after the 14th week of pregnancy and does not require therapy, only follow-up, as it does not represent a risk for either the baby or the mother. It is usually reabsorbed by the body itself after the 28th week of gestation.

3. Epidermoid and dermoid cyst

The epidermoid and dermoid cyst are similar, and are also the result of changes during the development of the fetus, but they can also appear throughout life. They are skin cyst that can appear in any region of the body, including the head, mainly on the forehead and behind the ears. They are characterized by the accumulation of cells in the skin, do not cause symptoms and are free, that is, they can move in the skin.

The diagnosis is made from the evaluation of the characteristics of the cyst, such as size, if there is swelling and if the cysts are free.Treatment can be done by draining the fluid present in the cyst, with antibiotics, to prevent possible infections, or through surgery according to the medical recommendation.

Main symptoms of cyst in the head

Cysts on the head are usually asymptomatic, but cysts on the brain can cause some symptoms if they increase in size, such as:

• Headache;
• Feeling sick;
• Dizziness;
• Balance problems;
• Mental confusion;
• Convulsive seizures;
• Somnolence.

The diagnosis of cysts in the head is made by a neurologist, in the case of brain cysts, using computed tomography, magnetic resonance or ultrasonography or by a dermatologist through a physical examination, when it is a skin cyst, such as the cyst epidermoid.

How to treat

As soon as a cyst in the head has been identified, periodic follow-up with the neurologist should be initiated to monitor the size of the cyst, in addition to observing the appearance of symptoms.

If any symptoms are observed, the doctor may indicate the use of some painkiller or remedies for dizziness or nausea. But if there is an increase in the size of the cyst and persistence or an increase in the frequency of symptoms, surgery may be indicated by the doctor.

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