HeadWise HeadWise: Volume 3, Issue 1 | Page 8

RATHKE ’ S CYST

reader mail

You ask . Our headache experts answer .

Tired of searching the internet for answers ?

It ’ s time to learn from those in the know . In every issue of Head Wise , our experts respond to reader-submitted questions about migraine and headache disorders .

RATHKE ’ S CYST

My husband has a constant headache going on 6 years now . He has seen 8 different neurologists including the head of the neurology department at the Mayo Clinic . They are all stumped . He hasn ’ t seen anyone now for several years and we were wondering if there are any new findings that might help him . He has a Rathke ’ s Cyst on his brain . At Mayo he was told the cyst could not be drained because of the significant size of it and that perhaps that is causing him his headache ( although it hasn ’ t grown in size since 2001 ). He has an implanted defibrillator and cannot have any more MRI ’ s . His headache did vary in intensity but for the last month or so , it has become increasingly more severe . Can anyone help him ? I would appreciate any help you might be able to provide , or lead us in the right direction . – Joanne E .
By now I am certain you are fully aware of the issues surrounding a Rathke ’ s cyst , but let me summarize some information for our readership . These cysts occur early in brain development , located between the 2 parts of the pituitary gland . Often these cysts
6 HEAD WISE | Volume 3 , Issue 1 • 2013