The epiphyseal or pineal cyst refers to a lesion of the pineal gland, which can cause headaches and memory problems. Rather rare cyst, it is most of the time benign. Explanations with Doctor Jean-Philippe Delabrousse-Mayoux, neurologist at the Samuel Pozzi hospital center in Bergerac.
What is an epiphyseal cyst?
“There are two types of epiphyseal cyst. The epiphyseal bone cyst which will develop at the level of the epiphysis, the part located at the ends of the long bones which are observed more particularly in children.” In the field of neurology, we talk about epiphyseal or pineal cyst to designate a lesion of the pineal gland, a small endocrine gland located behind the midbrain and which produces melatonin. “Pineal tumors as a whole (benign and malignant) are rather rare“, specifies the specialist and “represent less than 1% of all adult brain tumors.”
What are the symptoms of an epiphyseal cyst?
“The epiphyseal cyst is most often asymptomatic and incidental finding“but like any lesion developed within the cranial box by mass effect, the pineal cyst can lead depending on its volume by obstruction of the cerebrospinal fluid flow paths hydrocephalus resulting in unusual headaches, vomiting, nausea, feeling tired, obtundation, memory problems. “The cyst is a formation developed at the expense of the pineal tissue, filled with cerebrospinal fluid.”
What causes an epiphyseal cyst?
This comes from a dysregulation, dysfunction of the cellular system. “It is thought to be a genetic process, that proteins malfunction at some point.”
What tests to diagnose it?
“It is the realization of a MRI or CT scan which will make it possible to specify the diagnosis and the nature of the lesion“, underlines the neurologist.
What treatment to treat an epiphyseal cyst?
Most often, the cyst is discovered by chance during a neurological assessment and most often remains asymptomatic : “in this case, simple clinical and radiological monitoring is sufficient”. If the patient presents clinical signs indicating an increase in the volume of the lesion, it will be necessary to consider “surgical resection, which will also make it possible to specify the nature of the cyst. Another therapeutic alternative in the presence of hydrocephalus lies in the ventriculoperitoneal shunt.
When to operate on an epiphyseal cyst?
“When there are doubts about the morphological appearance of the tumor, either we proceed to a total ablation of the cyst or we take a sample“. In all cases, the patient is asleep under general anesthesia
Can you die from an epiphyseal cyst?
“The epiphyseal cyst is a benign lesion with a very good prognosis“insists Doctor Jean-Philippe Delabrousse.
Thanks to doctor Jean-Philippe Delabrousse-Mayoux, neurologist at the Samuel Pozzi hospital center in Bergerac.