Flying with a brain cyst: the risks and sea-level safe flight

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The threat of brain cysts is that they cannot be easily detected, hence increasing the risks of complications occurring whenever you intend to fly. More than once, patients have complained of medical complications following a flight. Why is flying with a cyst in the brain dangerous?

Brain cysts are fluid-filled sacs that form in different parts of the brain. Following changes in air pressure, as is the case in a flight cabin, they might lead to an increase in intracranial pressure, which had caused death in certain patients. To ensure your safety when traveling, opt to fly an air ambulance if you have a brain cyst. These can operate as sea-level flights, where the cabin pressure can be altered.

What is a brain cyst? All you should know

A cyst in the brain/ a brain cyst/ cystic brain lesion is a fluid-filled sac in the brain. The fluid often comes in the form of blood, pus and other materials. Often referred to as tumours, they can be both cancerous and noncancerous.

Symptoms of brain cysts

While brain cysts can start forming in a baby within the first weeks of a pregnancy itself, they can also occur following a head injury or a trauma to the brain. Both babies and adults can suffer from a brain cyst.

What are some common symptoms of brain cysts?

• Headache
• Nausea/vomiting
• Hearing or vision problems
• Dizziness
• Issues with balance and walking
• Facial pain
• Seizures

Advisory note: In a lot of cases, brain cysts do not show any symptoms and remain undetected for years. They are randomly detected during imaging scans done for other reasons.

Types of brain cysts

There are several types of brain cysts that demarcate themselves based on their type and position in the brain. Some examples are:

• Arachnoid cyst: forming between the brain and the arachnoid membrane. It appears most often in children and sometimes in adults
• Colloid cyst: a gel-filled cyst that forms in the ventricle that is in the central spot of the brain. They tend to appear during adulthood.
• Epidermoid cyst: forms from a little bit of bit of tissue that gets trapped when the brain and spinal cord form before birth.
• Pineal cyst: forms on the pineal gland in the middle of the brain and often does not show any symptom.
• Neoplastic cyst: happens because of a benign or malignant tumour.

Dangers of brain cysts

In a lot of cases, brain cysts do not show any symptoms. They remain undetected and do not cause any problems. In these situations, your doctor will simply advise to monitor the cyst via brain scans to see if it remains stable.

However, in other cases, brain cysts are cancerous, instantly transforming into a deadly disease. Another risky case scenario for non-cancerous brain cysts is that they may press against brain tissue and cause varying symptoms. Moreover, large cysts can obstruct the normal flow of cerebrospinal fluid, causing increased pressure on the brain. In other cases, cysts can leak into other areas of the brain.

When dealing with cysts that can cause neurological damage, treatments (different kinds of brain surgery and medications) can be administered as a solution.

Is flying with brain cysts possible?

A major question that arises for patients with brain cysts is “Can I fly safely with a cyst in my brain?”

The first rule that must be followed by anyone with a medical condition when intending to fly is to consult their doctor first. It has been proven that neurological symptoms are exacerbated at high altitudes. However, no two conditions are the same. While one flight might be risk-free for one patient, it can be deadly for another one, depending on the conditions.

As such, the safety of a patient during a flight can only be determined by a medical professional. Consult your doctor first to know whether you are fit to fly if you have a brain cyst.

Dangers of flying commercially when you have a brain cyst

What are the inherent risks of flying on a commercial plane when you have a brain cyst? Despite the variations in medical conditions, there is one constant factor linked to commercial flights: the change in air pressure. At higher altitudes, the air pressure in the cabin decreases, resulting in the cabin air expanding by about 30% and less oxygen being available.

A study published in World Neurosurgery found out, following a case study, that “Changes in cabin pressure during flight may play a role in worsening of intracranial pressure in patients with colloid cyst with marginal brain compliance”.

Other researches reveal that people with brain tumours and other brain issues experience severe neurological symptoms at high altitude. These may persist even after the descent. As such, the change in air pressure in commercial flights might be fatal for patients with brain cysts.

Did you know that: a sudden increase in intracranial pressure may result in considerable brain injury, seizure, coma, stroke, or even death if emergency treatment is not administered!

Case studies: death after flying with a brain cyst

Are there real cases of patients who have experienced complications following a flight after a brain cyst? The short answer is yes.

As reported in a study published by Neurology, a 19-year-old, who was healthy, booked a transcontinental flight. Immediately after the flight, she experienced a severe headache and nausea and she quickly fell into a coma. A CT scan revealed that excess cerebrospinal fluid was built up within the fluid-containing cavities or ventricles of the brain. Despite surgery to relieve the intracranial pressure, there was no change in her condition and she died hours later. Following an autopsy, it was found that a colloid cyst was obstructing the foramen of Monro.

The most important fact is that this is not a single random episode. Several similar cases have been reported over the years.

Fly on air ambulance if you have a brain cyst

Is flying impossible for patients with a brain cyst? What if the patient has to fly to obtain treatment abroad?

Travelling is possible, even for patients with a brain cyst or a brain tumour, in air ambulances. These are medical flights that are equipped to transport even ICU patients. Thanks to the latest medical equipment available on the plane and the specialist doctors accompanying the patient, flying long distances is possible.

These medical planes are deployed by Medical Air Service, an aviation company operating worldwide. Ensuring patient’s safety, at Medical Air Service, we make sure to adapt the flight according to your medical condition and needs.

Sea-level flights for brain cyst patients

In the case of a brain cyst or any condition that cannot support changes in cabin pressure, Medical Air Service would fly the patient on a sea-level flight. In these flights, the cabin pressure is modified so that it is closer to the pressure at sea level, which ensures the patient’s safety. Moreover, the specialist doctors on board are on hand to intervene and provide emergency treatment.

Thanks to Medical Air Service and its sea-level flights, patients can benefit from:

• Latest medical equipment
• Constant care by specialist doctors
• Ambulance flight operating worldwide
• Safe patient transport over long distances
• Bed to bed service with ground ambulances
• Aviation experts offering free consultation and advice
• Customized air ambulance solution
• Multilingual agents organizing the whole flight.

Contact us for an air ambulance

If you need to travel but cannot do so commercially because of a cyst or any other condition, get in touch with us. Our agents are available at all times for a free consultation and to devise a non-binding quotation