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Questions posted in the
Neurology and Neurosurgery Forum have been answered by doctors from The Cleveland Clinic Foundation.
Question Title: POST SURGICAL SYMPTOMS FROM THE PARTIAL REMOVAL OF A SPINAL TUMORForum: Neurology Forum
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I HAD SPINAL SURGERY BACK IN DEC OF 97' TO REMOVE A LIPOMA OFF OF MY SPINAL CORD IN THE L1 AREA. ONLY PART OF THE TUMOR WAS REMOVED, AFTER THE PROCEDURE I HAD 1-1/2 MONTHS OF NO PAIN OR SYMPTOMS OTHER THAN POST SURGICAL. BUT SINCE THAT TIME I HAVE EXPERIENCED PARALASYS OF THE LEFT LEG FREQUENT URINATION WITH PAIN AND A LARGE AMOUNT OF LOWER BACK PAIN. I GET 2-3 HOURS OF SLEEP A NIGHT WITH THE HELP OF PAIN MEDS. MY NEUROSURGEON SAYS AT THIS POINT ITS POST SURGICAL. IS THIS POSSIBLE? AND IF SO HOW MUCH LONGER IS THIS GOING TO GO ON. I'VE BEEN TO SEVERAL OTHER SPECIALISTS FOR TREATMENT ON MOST OF THESE PROBLEMS. UNFORTUNATLEY NO RELIEF HAS BEEN OBTAINED. I RECENTLY STARTED WITH HEADACHES WHICH HAVE LASTED UP TO 3 WEEKS AND DIZZY SPELLS AS WELL AS VIRTIGO. I'M BEING TOLD THAT THIS WILL PASS, IS THIS TRUE? AND IF SO WHY HAS MY SYMPTOMS INCREASED INSTEAD OF DECREASED? I'VE BEEN TOLD THAT THAT PROBLEM WITH THE LEG IS PERMANANT AND PHYSICAL THERAPY HAS ONLY IRRITATED THINGS MORE. A RECENT MRI SHOWED STILL PART OF THE LIPOMA ON MY SPINAL CORD AND SEVERAL FLUID POCKETS IN THE SURGICAL BED AREA AS WELL AS A SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT OF SCAR TISSUE. I'M 29 YEARS OLD AND FEEL LIKE I'M 60, IS IT POSSIBLE THAT SOMETHING WAS OVERLOOKED. PLEASE HELP IN THIS MATTER IF POSSIBLE I DON'T KNOW WHAT ELSE TO DO.. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME... __ __ Dear Bruce, The fact that you got better initially after surgery suggests that the tumor was causing your problems. It is not typical for a patient to get better for two months and then get worse without a good reason. You stated that a repeat MRI was done showing that some of the lipoma was still present. It may or may not still be causing your present problems, it is difficult to tell without seeing the films. Regardless, your present symptoms should not be brushed aside. You need answers. The best move at this point would be to seek a second opinion from a neurosurgeon regarding your situation. It is conceivable that surgery may be an option at this time, though again, making diagnoses like this are difficult on the internet. Give it a shot, and at the least, you'll be reassured that the doctors are confident that no further surgery is necessary. Good luck.
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