Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
What Causes Weakness Of The Arms?
Question: I want to know what is the report stating? and whats your opinion on recovery? he has weakness he his left arm with little movement. this happen 12/31/16
Brief Answer:
Remnants from the previous trauma.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to HealthcareMagic!
The report describes the damage left by a previous gunshot trauma, there are still some small bullet fragments in the skull which I suppose the surgeons couldn't remove.
This gunshot has left marked damage to two of the right brain lobes, the frontal and temporal one. As a result some brain mass is permanently lost, the described enlargement of the horns is simply due to the tissue which is no more, means simply that there is an empty space left by this loss.
The reports doesn't seem to describe any new lesion, I do not know why the CT was scheduled, but I don't think any of these findings is new or surprising to the doctors, they are old remnants.
Regarding recovery not much can be said from the CT scan, it is not a CT scan which will predict improvement. Some brain tissue has been permanently damaged that is a known fact. Improvement is hoped but it is dependent on the remaining tissue forming new connections between the cells aiming to replace the functions previously covered by the damaged tissue, something which happens at a microscopic level and is not seen on a CT scan.
How much will previous functioning be regained through this process only time can tell. Obviously the bigger the initial damage the higher the risk that recovery is only partial, that some disability will remain. After a trauma recovery usually happens during the first 12 months, after that I am afraid not much more can be hoped. Since it seems it's almost 10 months now with little movement of the left arm I am afraid if there is no improvement in the next 3 months weakness will probably persist.
I remain at your disposal for other questions.
Remnants from the previous trauma.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to HealthcareMagic!
The report describes the damage left by a previous gunshot trauma, there are still some small bullet fragments in the skull which I suppose the surgeons couldn't remove.
This gunshot has left marked damage to two of the right brain lobes, the frontal and temporal one. As a result some brain mass is permanently lost, the described enlargement of the horns is simply due to the tissue which is no more, means simply that there is an empty space left by this loss.
The reports doesn't seem to describe any new lesion, I do not know why the CT was scheduled, but I don't think any of these findings is new or surprising to the doctors, they are old remnants.
Regarding recovery not much can be said from the CT scan, it is not a CT scan which will predict improvement. Some brain tissue has been permanently damaged that is a known fact. Improvement is hoped but it is dependent on the remaining tissue forming new connections between the cells aiming to replace the functions previously covered by the damaged tissue, something which happens at a microscopic level and is not seen on a CT scan.
How much will previous functioning be regained through this process only time can tell. Obviously the bigger the initial damage the higher the risk that recovery is only partial, that some disability will remain. After a trauma recovery usually happens during the first 12 months, after that I am afraid not much more can be hoped. Since it seems it's almost 10 months now with little movement of the left arm I am afraid if there is no improvement in the next 3 months weakness will probably persist.
I remain at your disposal for other questions.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
