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Neurology/Neurosurgery (Expert Forum)
Headache for 7 days - No history of headache
Answered by
Abhijeet Ghosh, MBBS,DNB - Neurology, Rheumatoid Arthrtitis
A.I.M.S./ Mercy Hospital
India
This Neurology & Neurosurgery forum is for questions and information regarding Rheumatoid Arthritis Neurology & Neurosurgery conditions and symptoms. All questions will receive a personal answer from a medical expert.
Headache for 7 days - No history of headache
by caoimhinn, Oct 30, 2009 12:16PM
I went to the ER last night because of a headache that made it difficult for me to sleep. I have seen my neurologist about this headache already. He ordered an MRI with contrast that was done on an open MRI machine. That test was normal, as was my physical neurological exam.
At the ER, they did a CT scan without contrast, which was also normal. The headache feels like a squeezing, mostly on the left side of my head by the temple, and I am very alarmed by it because it has lasted for so long and because I don't typically get headaches.
Finally, I am surely not a radiologist. In fact, I was a literature student--I couldn't be farther from being a radiologist. Still, I closely examined the MRI and the CT films, and on both, there was an asymmetry on the left side--near the location of my headache. The images are below.
http://dl.getdropbox.com/u/62198/Picture%202.png
http://dl.getdropbox.com/u/62198/Picture%203.png
http://dl.getdropbox.com/u/62198/Picture%204.png
http://dl.getdropbox.com/u/62198/Picture%205.png
I understand that your response is not intended to diagnose any condition and is not an any way an official "medical opinion" in the legal sense. I would just like to know that this asymmetry is not something that the radiologists missed when examining my studies. Maybe it is normal? I am just very frustrated because I have had this constant headache and so far, normal test results! Of course, that is good news--I am terrified that it is a tumor or something that the scans have overlooked.
At the ER, they did a CT scan without contrast, which was also normal. The headache feels like a squeezing, mostly on the left side of my head by the temple, and I am very alarmed by it because it has lasted for so long and because I don't typically get headaches.
Finally, I am surely not a radiologist. In fact, I was a literature student--I couldn't be farther from being a radiologist. Still, I closely examined the MRI and the CT films, and on both, there was an asymmetry on the left side--near the location of my headache. The images are below.
http://dl.getdropbox.com/u/62198/Picture%202.png
http://dl.getdropbox.com/u/62198/Picture%203.png
http://dl.getdropbox.com/u/62198/Picture%204.png
http://dl.getdropbox.com/u/62198/Picture%205.png
I understand that your response is not intended to diagnose any condition and is not an any way an official "medical opinion" in the legal sense. I would just like to know that this asymmetry is not something that the radiologists missed when examining my studies. Maybe it is normal? I am just very frustrated because I have had this constant headache and so far, normal test results! Of course, that is good news--I am terrified that it is a tumor or something that the scans have overlooked.
Doctor's Answer
by Abhijeet Ghosh, MBBS,DNB, Nov 02, 2009 10:35AM
, Nov 02, 2009 10:35AMTo: caoimhinn
Dear Caoimhinn,
Thanks for the detailed clarifications.Well, these was a mild suspect of infection as per the scan results were concerned.But according to your statement, the type and nature of headache was same as before even after eating the specific medicines.It appears to be linked with Migraine.You really need to keep yourself away from stress and need long sleeps daily.Also be careful from the cold climate and too much stressing of your eyes.If you are an active computer professional, them it's advised to take rest inbetween, so as to keep the inflammatory chemicals in your body, under control. If you are a believer of Yoga, then do start it soon.
The main concern for me is that your scan findings are not going as per the clinical finding. In these scenarios, and in these cases, we follow the clinical pictures rather than the scan result.
Hope i made myself clear to you.Feel free to ask more in this contet.
Regards....
Thanks for the detailed clarifications.Well, these was a mild suspect of infection as per the scan results were concerned.But according to your statement, the type and nature of headache was same as before even after eating the specific medicines.It appears to be linked with Migraine.You really need to keep yourself away from stress and need long sleeps daily.Also be careful from the cold climate and too much stressing of your eyes.If you are an active computer professional, them it's advised to take rest inbetween, so as to keep the inflammatory chemicals in your body, under control. If you are a believer of Yoga, then do start it soon.
The main concern for me is that your scan findings are not going as per the clinical finding. In these scenarios, and in these cases, we follow the clinical pictures rather than the scan result.
Hope i made myself clear to you.Feel free to ask more in this contet.
Regards....
Post Comment
She continued:
"1. No evidence of intracranial mass or infarction.
2. Extensive signal abnormality in the left mastoid air cells. This nonspecific and may be infectious or inflammatory in etiology. Clinical correlation suggested to determine if there is any evidence of infection.
Ventricles and sulci are normal in size and configuration. No extra axial collection. No mass or edema. No diffusion evidence of acute infarction. Cerebellar tonsils are in normal location. The intracranial vascular flow voids are normal in appearance.
There is extensive signal abnormality in the left mastoid air cells. The paranasal sinuses and right mastoids are normal in signal. Bone marrow signal is unremarkable. Somewhat prominent palatine tonsils."
I have been taking Biaxin for 5 or 6 days now for a possible Lyme infection. It has so far made no difference in the headache.
Doctor, I am very nervous that this is something very serious. Please provide me with some direction! Thank you!
According to your last post, it appears that your ear pain is gone.Please specify that whether you are still having the headache or not?
Thanks for the detailed clarifications.Well, these was a mild suspect of infection as per the scan results were concerned.But according to your statement, the type and nature of headache was same as before even after eating the specific medicines.It appears to be linked with Migraine.You really need to keep yourself away from stress and need long sleeps daily.Also be careful from the cold climate and too much stressing of your eyes.If you are an active computer professional, them it's advised to take rest inbetween, so as to keep the inflammatory chemicals in your body, under control. If you are a believer of Yoga, then do start it soon.
The main concern for me is that your scan findings are not going as per the clinical finding. In these scenarios, and in these cases, we follow the clinical pictures rather than the scan result.
Hope i made myself clear to you.Feel free to ask more in this context.
Regards....