HeadWise HeadWise: Volume 3, Issue 1 | Page 8

RATHKE’ S CYST

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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