In hospital with DD and could really do with some reassurance

[IHeartKingThistle]

DD (7) fell down the stairs at my parents house earlier and hit her head. She's been drowsy and vomiting so they've admitted her overnight for observation. They also did a CT scan which showed nothing relating to the fall but did show an 'incidental cyst' on her brain????? They have told me not to worry, that they are quite common in children and that usually they grow out of them without ever knowing it's there. She hasn't been complaining of headaches or anything like that. They aren't whisking her off for more tests, they're just checking her every hour atm.

I guess I just want confirmation that they are telling the truth. I am not going to google. Anyone been told similar? Should I really not worry? It's been a horrible day.

Was it an arachnoid cyst?

I have googled on your behalf, and it is not too scary. Apparently lots of people have them from birth, and never have any problems. They are probably just observing to check that it hasn't been caused by the fall or that it isn't going to enlarge due to the fall.

Even if it does, it doesn't look too very alarming. They seem to just drain it and it is all done.

So sympathy, it must be scary, but hopefully all will be well.

also - I think they use the phrase "incidental" to indicate that the cyst isn't causing any problems.

Wikipedia says that 1.1% of the population have them and most never develop any symptoms related to them. They won't do anything about it if there are no symptoms because it's nothing to worry about.

Perhaps ask for a list of symptoms to look out for in future if you are concerned?

Thank you so much, that's really helpful. She's really not herself but they don't seem concerned at all - trying not to worry

Sorry noble x post - thank you.

The hourly checks are perfectly normal and standard for someone who has sustained a head injury and vomited and felt unwell afterwards so please don't worry.
The CT showed this cyst. If they were concerned there would be following it up so try not to worry.

It's horrible when our kids are hurt.
I would avoid googling anything as a little knowledge is often a scary and bad thing!

Hope your dd feels better soon.

It's called an incidental cyst because they were scanning for a different reason, and incidentally, spotted a cyst. It's quite common to see them on scans for something else because so many of the population have them. They just have to make a note of it for future reference.

This is exactly what I needed. Thank you.

She can't even keep water down and is so sleepy. And at some point I have to get her home 2 hours away - argh.

We're definitely in overnight though.

I get why it's concerning but honestly if it was anything more they'd 100% tell you.

Because we do more and more scans we pick up things which aren't important - they are in fact called incidentalomas. They are keeping an eye because she's not back to her normal self just yet, not because they found a cyst.

I hope she starts to seem more like herself soon, but sleeping is your body's natural way to recover, try not to worry x

My daughter has an arachnoid cyst that was discovered when age was 14 and was having a CT scan after being hit by hockey ball. It was scary at the time-esp as hers is quite big, but we were very reassured by the attitudes of doctors. They felt it wasn't going to do her any harm-unless she was v v unlucky and had a v hard, v direct hit to that precise area. We asked if we should stop her playing hockey as she plays at a high level, but they all agreed that she should keep playing. She's 20 now and has been fine so far-fingers crossed!!!!

Thank you all so much. Not worrying so much now. Wish she would stop being sick though, there's nothing in her stomach. Any idea how long vomiting can go on for with concussion?

The vomiting varies. My dd had a mild concussion when she was 16 and it really did take her nearly a week to feel 100%.
They won't let her home if she's not well enough and if you're really not happy about how she is then don't hesitate in telling the staff you're really not happy with taking her home with her still vomiting etc.
Poor kiddo, not the way you want to spend a w/e.

I know, bless her.

She's still being sick every 40 minutes. No water since midday but apparently she's not dehydrated and they're not concerned about it. They haven't said at what point they will be concerned if it doesn't stop. A good solid block of sleep would help!

Poor thing, she must feel dreadful. Maybe ask for her to be put on a drip if it continues. Hope you get some sleep tonight.

Thank you. She's now gone an hour without vomiting for the first time but I cantell she's feeling sick and as she can't keep paracetamol down she's got a rotten headache. It could be a long night.

I'm really aware of how much worse it could have been though, and how much worse it is for some of the children in here. Perspective, perspective. ..

Sounds awful. Sorry to hear you are both feeling crap.

DP has an incidental cyst. He is fine!

They looked at the CT again - it's a fracture. 48 hours in hospital. They are still being fairly unconcerned which is good.

I have fractured my skull.

Twice.

You'll be home in no time, try not to worry too much xxx.

Twice??? That's brilliant. Well not brilliant, you know what I mean! She's perked up massively in the last couple of hours

I was about 4 when I first did it - fell off a horse.

Then when I was pregnant with dd my eldest son pulled a door off the wardrobe and it landed edge onwards onto my head.

I still have a dent...

Blimey!