Pupils and neurologic testing

[purr]

Heres my story..

Approx Oct 13 2005 I tested positive for C-diff from an antibiotic.  Since then I've been noticing my right pupil is bigger than my left.  I dont know if this is related so I'm throwing it in.

I also had congenital cataracts, and I had my left one removed and an IOL inserted.

I went to my Optometrist and he said that my eyes look good and he referred me to my Opthamologist.  Opth did a thorough exam and seen nothing wrong.  He said that they're both reactive and with a negative CT scan he doesnt think its anything.  I remember him telling me my left pupil was a 4 and my right was a 5 when he held a card up to my eyes.  Also he mentioned that if it continues I should get an MRI.

I got a call yesterday from a neuro-opthamologist and he said that this normally just doesnt happen and wants to see me next Thursday and plan on being there a few hours.  

I was in the er a few weeks ago and I mentioned this to the doc since I had a headache at the time and he ran the CT scan and told me I have a migrane w/o sensitivity.

Seen an allergist who took xrays of my sinuses and instead of them being 'air filled' its full of histamine (white areas) - so I'm pretty sure my headaches are from my sinuses.

I'm horribly concerned that I have a tumor of my brain.  Wouldnt the CT have picked up on this?  I thought if anything indicative it would've shown up on there as an abnormality.  I'm scared to get the MRI because I have a bad feeling it's going to show something.

When I was 13 I was also thrown from my horse and landed on my head broke helmet in 2.

[CCF-Neuro-M.D.-PW]

Some mild difference in pupil size can be normal, up to about 0.5mm, and is called 'anisocoria'
Without other neurological signs or symptoms, there is usually no underlying abnoramlity.
If the pupil difference changes, or there is for instance worsening headache, double vision, etc then it hsould be evaluated

Brain tumors or nay other masses cause unequealpupuls by pressing on the cranial nerves - in this case usually there are other signs like impairment of eye movement. An MRI would be low yield to show an abnormality then but may serve to assure that it is normal, CT brain cannot ruleout out a tumor.

Good luck

[RunningL8]

Just to ease your mind:  I've been having the same sort of size difference in my pupils, and I recently had a completely normal brain MRI.  Both my neurologist and neuro-ophthalmologist believe the pupil abnormality in my case is migraine-related (and neither doctor is at all alarmed).  So although you should probably have the MRI to be sure, if you've had migraine symptoms in the past it seems likely/possible that migraine activity in your brain would explain your pupil difference (as a brain tumor would likely be causing more dramatic symptoms).

[purr]

I dont know.  I'm almost afraid to get the MRI.  

As far as having migranes before, the only time I knew I had one was last year and it lasted for a month before I got migrane meds from the doc.  I dont remember my pupils being odd.  

Had what I think was a migrane last night, a really sharp pain on the right side of my head then followed a bad headache.  Same spot everytime this happens.  I am so scared :( :( :(

[RunningL8]

I know it's scary to get an MRI, but since migraines can only be diagnosed by ruling out all other possible causes, you really need to let your doctors run the appropriate tests.  But I truly don't think you need to be too worried; you have a definite history of migraines, and you could at times be having migraine activity in your brain without actually having headaches (such activity is called "migraine equivalents").  I had migraines 30+ years ago as a child/young teenager, and like you, in the past my pupils were fine.  Ironically, I started noticing my pupils were frequently a different size this past September, but I really haven't had an all-out migraine headache in several years.  I, too, got very scared, particularly as I'd been having periodic dizzy spells, light sensitivity, and sound disturbances (i.e., sometimes things either seem too loud or too soft); but now I've learned that all of these are also signs of "migraine equivalents."  So you really can't diagnose yourself just by watching your pupils.  I do hope you'll get the MRI; I really think it will ease your mind.