Rhoads287

Anyone dealt with obtaining a 1st class medical after going through surgery to remove an arachnoid cyst in the brain? Just starting this process, thanks.

AirBear

I had to Google that, never even heard of it so having someone here with that experience is possible but unlikely. I had a number of medical issues before finally having to medically retire, I had access to AMAS thru my company. They were very helpful, I always worked with one Doctor. If you have access to them via your employer or union then use it, if not you can pay. Check with them to see how expensive it is.

https://www.aviationmedicine.com/

Note: I did find this 20 yr old article about a student pilot trying to get a medical that had this. It's a PDF, search it for "arachnoid":

https://www.faa.gov/other_visit/avia...smb_200204.pdf

Rhoads287

thank you very much for the info. I appreciate it

airzz

Any updates on this? I am asking for a friend who had microvascular decompression done and he is going through AMAS as well at a 121 carrier but was told he might have to expect a 2 year hold on getting the medical reinstated... Apparently other airline pilots had gone through this procedure and were back to flying in no time.. PM me if you have info please..

Otto

Does ANYONE out there have any experience with getting their 1st class medical back after having surgery for an Arachnoid Cyst? Feel free to PM me if you don't wish to post publicly.

Any information at all could be helpful.

Unfortunately, the link to the article posted by AirBear doesn't seem to work anymore.

Thanks

AirBear

I'd spend the $$$ and contact AMAS. Searching the FAA website for arachnoid cyst gets zero results. I worked with AMAS for several years while flying with type 2 diabetes. They were very helpful.

Otto

Thanks for the feedback, AirBear.

Excargodog

I think the problem is that there are arachnoid cysts of varying size, placement, and complications. There really is no one size fits all answer. Is yours small and asymptomatic and just discovered because you had an MRI for something else? I knew an F-15 pilot like that. Got knocked out in a fall that would have knocked out anyone, but the subsequent MRI showed this large cyst. The Air Force eventually let him go back to flying - even an F-15. But it took a couple of years IIRC. I think he’s with Delta now.

Has yours ever caused seizures? Severe headaches? Have your doctors recommended you have surgery for it? Or a shunt? That’s a different animal. Depends on how satisfactory the treatment has been and on a seizure free post surgical history.

Best advice: Get the best treatment you can and then let AMAS or one of the other aviation medicine specialty organizations make the best case they can for you with the FAA.