Re: Schwanoma's and Seizures--Any correlation?

Posted By LJoslin on April 28, 1999 at 06:53:58

What type of testing is involved for Von Recklinghausen's disease?  RE:  Cafe au lait spots, I do not have anything like this...at least no marks 1" in size.  Also, if I test positive for this, should I have my daughter tested as well?
Topic Area: Neurology - General
: I'm a 34 yr. old female with a 7 yr. old child.  I had 1 seizure 6 yrs. ago, had another approximately 2 yrs after that and haven't had one since.  Am taking 400 milligrams of dilantin daily.  Was diagnosed with a schwanoma in my left upper arm 4 yrs. ago.  (Was surgically removed, went for therapy and numbing went away have full use of hand.)  Just had another schwanoma removed from my right ankle (much larger, involved 1 nerve, the main nerve and was pressing on the main artery).  I've seen 3 neurosurgeons and have stated they don't know what caused the seizures.  Three MRI's showed a spot on my brain which I was told was probably just an old blood spot.  (May or not be the cause.)  Also told stress may have caused them (child-birth, divorce, full-time job and full time school student during the 2nd seizure).  No one can give conclusive answers.  The surgeon who removed the schwanoma suggested the seizures and tumors may be related.  Question:  are the seizures and schwanoma's somehow related?  The surgeon suggested Von Recklinghausen's disease.  I thought the tumors may have been caused by the medication.  Question:  Any suggestions or questions I could ask my Dr. or neurologist?   Thanks for any and all help.




Schwannomas are tumors of peripheral nerves, seizures origonate in the
brain itself so there can be no link between a tumor in the arm or leg and
a seizure origonating in the brain.
There is no known link between any medication and the development of
schwannomas, however multiple schwannomas do raise the possibility of
Von Reckling hausens disease.
It is very common that an underlying cause is not found for seizures, an
EEG can sometimes help to decide if it origionates fronm the a focal area
corresponding to the abnormality on the MRI for instance or if it is a
generalized epilepsy which starts simultaneously all over the brain.
I would suggest an EEG if this has not already been done, and genertic
testing for Von Recklinghausens disease.





















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