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Neurology (Expert Forum)
After-effects of pinealectomy
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After-effects of pinealectomy
by Tery-Monaco, Sep 23, 1998 12:00AM
About six years ago my son (now age 23)was diagnosed with a pinealoma which was surgically removed. After three years he developed split vision because of the pressure on the eye region.
We have used prisms on his glasses to realign his sight and just recently had surgery on one eye to realign the vision.
My concern is the complaints which he has about headaches and the loss of feeling in his arms and legs. Also, the irregularity of sleep patterns.Is this an after-effect of the surgery?
Are there any supplements which he should investigate taking due to the lack of meletonin produced by the removed pineal gland?
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Dear Terry,
Thank you for your question.
Your son most likely had germinoma (the most common type of pinealoma,
it accounts for about 2/3 of all pinealomas).
Visual disturbance has been reported following surgery as well as loss of feelings in extremities. These symptoms are usually transient, although they may become permanent. Depending on the extent of the disease at the time of surgery, the type surgery (complete versus partial removal vs biopsy only), and the tissue diagnosis, the tumor may recur. Recurrence can cause obstruction of cerebrospinal fluid flow inside the brain, hence new sypmtoms.
Your son should be followed reqularly and if there are new symptoms, his doctor should be notified. Your son may need imaging of his brain.
As for melatonin, it should be fine. The problem with it is that it is not regulated by the FDA. It is considered a supplement not a drug.
Good luck and I hope this helps.
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We have used prisms on his glasses to realign his sight and just recently had surgery on one eye to realign the vision.
My concern is the complaints which he has about headaches and the loss of feeling in his arms and legs. Also, the irregularity of sleep patterns.Is this an after-effect of the surgery?
Are there any supplements which he should investigate taking due to the lack of meletonin produced by the removed pineal gland?
==========================================================
Dear Terry,
Thank you for your question.
Your son most likely had germinoma (the most common type of pinealoma,
it accounts for about 2/3 of all pinealomas).
Visual disturbance has been reported following surgery as well as loss of feelings in extremities. These symptoms are usually transient, although they may become permanent. Depending on the extent of the disease at the time of surgery, the type surgery (complete versus partial removal vs biopsy only), and the tissue diagnosis, the tumor may recur. Recurrence can cause obstruction of cerebrospinal fluid flow inside the brain, hence new sypmtoms.
Your son should be followed reqularly and if there are new symptoms, his doctor should be notified. Your son may need imaging of his brain.
As for melatonin, it should be fine. The problem with it is that it is not regulated by the FDA. It is considered a supplement not a drug.
Good luck and I hope this helps.
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