Many people with arachnoid cysts never develop symptoms. For those who do, the symptoms will depend on whether the cyst is around the brain or around the spinal cord.
The most common symptoms for arachnoid symptoms around the brain are caused if a cyst grows larger or if bleeding into the cyst occurs, and might include:
- Headache
- Nausea and vomiting
- Seizures
- Hearing disorders
- Visual problems
- Vertigo (excessive dizziness)
- Walking and balance disorders (excessive clumsiness)
Because they may compress the spinal cord or nerve roots, common symptoms of arachnoid cysts around the spinal cord may involve:
- Increasing back and/or leg pain
- Tingling and/or numbness in the arms and/or legs
- Weakness in the arms and/or legs
- Problems with bladder or bowel control