Possible Injury to wife

Posted by Russell Doughty on June 13, 1999 at 10:40:48
I fell about 2 metres out of a tree onto my wife who bravely tried to catch me.  In doing so I caught her head with a light blow to the left side and to quote "She saw stars".  She is 55 this year and has been in excellent health except for long term (15 years) hypertension controlled by inderal. She started quite severe headaches and migraines after the fall and our then GP prescribed physiotherapy which achieved nothing.  After about six months we changes doctors.  This GP had a CT scan done for her which showed 'some atrophy' and then referred her to a neurologist who did 24 hour urine tests, doppler tests and the like and could find nothing wrong.  We cannot remember whether this neurologist actually examined the CT scan.  It was eventually put down by this GP as 'you'll have to live with it'. Incidentally, she was on HRT.  Another change of GP who immediately instigated electro-accupuncture with excellent results on the migraine but no real lasting results on the pressure headache which occurs day and night.  He suggested another CT scan at a larger clinic.  This has shown up an area of cerebral fluid in the LHS front top which is the area where the pain originates.  He also took her off HRT.  What can be done or what should we ask him to do?  Is there a standard procedure?

Posted by CCF Neuro[P] MD, RPS on June 13, 1999 at 12:06:08
Dear Russell:
Sorry to hear about your wife.  Without examining your wife it is difficult to give you an exact diagnosis.  The length of time since the accident is reassuring that there wasn't severe damage to the head or neck.  What is sounds like is that your wife had a mild concussion (seeing stars).  Given her age, the signs of mild atrophy is likely normal for age.  (I am scared to have neuroimaging, because I too am likely to have atrophy).  I am not sure what your physician meant by cerebal fluid in the LHS (LHS?).  I am also not sure why he would take your wife off HRT.  I think what I would do is get a second opinion from a neurologist.  Have him read the film and give your wife a good neurological exam.  In addition, I would ask him about possible mild neck trauma from the accident causing the problems.  Let us know what happens.
Sincerely,
CCF Neuro[P] MD