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Neurology (Expert Forum)
Unsure if tumor is causing symptoms
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Unsure if tumor is causing symptoms
by rob000, Sep 25, 2006 12:00AM
I posted a long time ago about the supra orbital tumor found. My mind has been going in circles because the doctor I've seen say that all my symptoms can't be explained by this tumor. Is there another explanation or is the tumor the guilty party?
1) Constant numbing pressure behind entire forehead, eyes, and nose...a tremendous feeling of 'tension' all across my forehead, and stiff eye movements, pressure deep behind my eyes worse with eye movements.
2) Feeling of constantly blocked nose
3) Dizziness episodes--come out of nowhere and lasts 1-5 days; goes away for 2 weeks-3 months at a time and recurs again. I get dizzy when I look up at the ceiling, or when I lay down on my back. The room just starts spinning wildly out of control and this continues even if I lay perfectly still for hours. It immediately improves when I sit back up. No nausea.
4) Mental blurring of visual perception (ie-focusing on your eyes during a conversation) vision itsself isnt blurred
I'm a 28/male. Symptoms began mildly about 4 years ago, and got drastically worse almost overnight 18 months ago. Headache/tension never changes in intensity or goes away.
Strangely enough, when I hold my nose and blow air into my ears things feel much better while the air pressure is held..the tension and pressure let up but then come right back. Also feels much better when I put pressure with my hands on my forehead.
MRI images (3.5 x 2.4 cm lesion:
http://img154.imageshack.us/img154/8238/axt1fspostcontrast0012kz9.jpg
http://img176.imageshack.us/img176/1053/axt1fspostcontrast0013st2.jpg
1) Constant numbing pressure behind entire forehead, eyes, and nose...a tremendous feeling of 'tension' all across my forehead, and stiff eye movements, pressure deep behind my eyes worse with eye movements.
2) Feeling of constantly blocked nose
3) Dizziness episodes--come out of nowhere and lasts 1-5 days; goes away for 2 weeks-3 months at a time and recurs again. I get dizzy when I look up at the ceiling, or when I lay down on my back. The room just starts spinning wildly out of control and this continues even if I lay perfectly still for hours. It immediately improves when I sit back up. No nausea.
4) Mental blurring of visual perception (ie-focusing on your eyes during a conversation) vision itsself isnt blurred
I'm a 28/male. Symptoms began mildly about 4 years ago, and got drastically worse almost overnight 18 months ago. Headache/tension never changes in intensity or goes away.
Strangely enough, when I hold my nose and blow air into my ears things feel much better while the air pressure is held..the tension and pressure let up but then come right back. Also feels much better when I put pressure with my hands on my forehead.
MRI images (3.5 x 2.4 cm lesion:
http://img154.imageshack.us/img154/8238/axt1fspostcontrast0012kz9.jpg
http://img176.imageshack.us/img176/1053/axt1fspostcontrast0013st2.jpg
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-Neuro-M.D.-SH, Sep 28, 2006 12:00AM
First of all, keep in mind that I am unable to diagnose you because I am unable to examine you, this forum is for educational purposes.
I believe I answered 3 posts from you several months ago (2 from you, 1 from your girfriend). I share your concern that your supraorbital tumor (appears to be a possible meningioma, based on the MRI images) may be causing some of the symptoms you describe. Meningiomas (if that is what you have) may cause seizures, increased intracranial pressure, focal deficits due to mass effect and precipitate migraine headaches. The anxiety of having a tumor behind your eye, that no one wants to do anything about can also cause a great deal of anxiety, and anxiety can often cause neurologic type symptoms. To examine you for these possibilities I would suggest an EEG, ophthamologic exam (to examine for optic disc swelling a sign of increased intracranial pressure) and a trial on a migraine prophylactic medication such as Elavil, topamax, nadolol, etc.
I would also encourage you to seek a second opinion from another neurologist if you are not satisfied with your current care.
I hope this has been helpful.
I believe I answered 3 posts from you several months ago (2 from you, 1 from your girfriend). I share your concern that your supraorbital tumor (appears to be a possible meningioma, based on the MRI images) may be causing some of the symptoms you describe. Meningiomas (if that is what you have) may cause seizures, increased intracranial pressure, focal deficits due to mass effect and precipitate migraine headaches. The anxiety of having a tumor behind your eye, that no one wants to do anything about can also cause a great deal of anxiety, and anxiety can often cause neurologic type symptoms. To examine you for these possibilities I would suggest an EEG, ophthamologic exam (to examine for optic disc swelling a sign of increased intracranial pressure) and a trial on a migraine prophylactic medication such as Elavil, topamax, nadolol, etc.
I would also encourage you to seek a second opinion from another neurologist if you are not satisfied with your current care.
I hope this has been helpful.
Good luck!
offer my theory. You may need a Neuro-Otolarnygologist? You may
also need a Coronal CT of the sinuses to check for blockage or
perhaps whatever type MRI you had, says more on report copy.
I have some big words you can ck-out to see if anything matches.
Your tumor is in the path of many nerves/vessels w/ fibers from
the 3 branch 'Trigeminal Nerve'(cnV). 1 branch is the Frontal &
is largest, & Nasocilliary is medial to it (situated in/near).
If these get disturbed by inflammation or ?, then it can affect
the Frontal+Ethmoid sinus. Ethmoid is between brow & inner eye
at top of nose-bridge. Swelling/blockage cuts off air & plays
w/ the above nerves. When you pinch nose & push air to ears,
you are putting air in Eustachian Tubes (located back of throat)
to travel over to middle ear compartment where ears pop. The
Trigeminal is msg'g to try to put air into Ethmoid or ?. There
are so many paths from nose/ear/temple/eye that are affected by
part of that cnV. My guess, that is what's causing the numb forehead/blocked nose. A lesion in this path area like your
tumor, is right there in the mix. The Dr will have to figure
out if this is a poss. theory & what to do. Don't over do the
valsalva w/ too much pressure. Or maybe a gliche in the relay?
I had something sinus-related that felt very similar. Gd-luck.