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Are There Any Alternative Treatments For Encephalomalacia?
Question: Hi Dr. My name is XXXX. I had an Atypical meningioma removed on 4/29/15, a follow up mri on 6/15/15 showed localized bleeding and inflammation and fluid collection. The neurosurgeon said any of these things didnt worry him and that the radiologist didnt know what he was talking about. He didnt recommended/gave nothing. I saw my primary dr. On 8/11/15 and asked him to order mri, I had mri done on 8/13/15. The report didnt listed anuthing that I thoight was important so I didnt see my primary dr, however there was a word on the report that I didntknow what it meant, ENCEPHALOMALACIA was the word ant not until yesterday I searched the meaming of encephalomalacia. Youcan think how I felt when I found out what Iit meant. I have encephalomalacia on my right temporal lobe where the neurosurgeon made the cut, the report didnt mention how extensive the encephalomalacia is or if it still active. I know there is no cure but are there any alternative treatments or something to stop it if still going on. Thanks Dr.
Brief Answer:
No additional treatment needed
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXX! I read your question carefully and I am sorry about the distress you seem to have been in, hopefully my answer will make you feel better.
I do not know what exactly have you read on the Internet about encephalomalacia. It is a latin word which basically indicates the remnant of an injury to the brain due to loss of some brain matter. Now since you have undergone surgery and it was for an atypical meningeoma (which is not as benign as typical meningeoma so surgery necessitates more extensive removal of tissue), I think this is a finding which is totally expected, frankly I would have been surprised if it wasn't there. So I do not think there is any reason for alarm.
As for what you have to do...you have to do nothing. It is not an active evolving process, it is an old remnant as I said, sort of like an old scar in your brain so to say, it will stay as it is, won't change and won't affect your health, at least not more than it has done till now. It may confer a higher risk for epileptic seizures in the future, but not necessarily, especially if you haven't had any seizures till now.
I remain at your disposal for further questions.
No additional treatment needed
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXX! I read your question carefully and I am sorry about the distress you seem to have been in, hopefully my answer will make you feel better.
I do not know what exactly have you read on the Internet about encephalomalacia. It is a latin word which basically indicates the remnant of an injury to the brain due to loss of some brain matter. Now since you have undergone surgery and it was for an atypical meningeoma (which is not as benign as typical meningeoma so surgery necessitates more extensive removal of tissue), I think this is a finding which is totally expected, frankly I would have been surprised if it wasn't there. So I do not think there is any reason for alarm.
As for what you have to do...you have to do nothing. It is not an active evolving process, it is an old remnant as I said, sort of like an old scar in your brain so to say, it will stay as it is, won't change and won't affect your health, at least not more than it has done till now. It may confer a higher risk for epileptic seizures in the future, but not necessarily, especially if you haven't had any seizures till now.
I remain at your disposal for further questions.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I had another MRI scheduled for 10/13/15, I scheduled it before I knew what encephalomalacia was. And I will see the neurosurgeon on 10/22/15.but again, is there anything to help the brain restore/make stronger the brain tissue affected? And again I dont know how extensive the area affected is, I just know is on my right temporal lobe. What body/mental functions do my right temporal lobe controls/is responsible for? Thanks
Brief Answer:
Read below
Detailed Answer:
Hello again.
Brain cells do not replicate so unfortunately there is no drug or other action which can substitute the lost cells. The remaining cells though have a quality called plasticity, meaning they are able to form new connections with each other and assume functions priorly belonging to the lost cells, thus compensating for their loss. Of course the more cells are lost the harder it is to compensate.
But again, whatever damage there is by the loss of those cells, you've already seen the worst of it, from now on it won't worsen, if anything will improve thanks to compensation. So you should focus on how you actually feel and not on an exam, MRIs do not tell us much about plasticity and compensation, it's the actual performance of the patient which does.
As for the functions of the temporal lobe, it is mainly involved in memory, emotions, hearing perception and language (but language mainly for the left one).
I hope to have been of help
Read below
Detailed Answer:
Hello again.
Brain cells do not replicate so unfortunately there is no drug or other action which can substitute the lost cells. The remaining cells though have a quality called plasticity, meaning they are able to form new connections with each other and assume functions priorly belonging to the lost cells, thus compensating for their loss. Of course the more cells are lost the harder it is to compensate.
But again, whatever damage there is by the loss of those cells, you've already seen the worst of it, from now on it won't worsen, if anything will improve thanks to compensation. So you should focus on how you actually feel and not on an exam, MRIs do not tell us much about plasticity and compensation, it's the actual performance of the patient which does.
As for the functions of the temporal lobe, it is mainly involved in memory, emotions, hearing perception and language (but language mainly for the left one).
I hope to have been of help
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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