Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Suggest Treatment For Distorted Sense Of Smell And Lipomas
Question: I am a veteran. I have been experiencing horrible smells that I can not describe, the closest description would be something rotten. The VA says I have a small lipoma on the right side of the quadrigeminal plate and 2 tiny areas of increased signal in the left frontal white matter. They also told me that MS could not be excluded. Nothing is being done should I go see someone else.
Brief Answer:
ENT and Neurologist evaluation necessary.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thanks for using HCM.
I have read your question and understand your concerns.
Lipoma of the quadrigeminal plate is not responsible for your symptoms related to distorted smell, but it should be followed up clinically and by imaging studies because it may cause increased intracranial pressure.
Multiple sclerosis is one of the possible conditions that may cause distortions in smell, but other symptoms ( numbness, vision problems, tingling, fatigue, speech issues etc.) are more typical in this disease.
It is necessary to get evaluated by a Neurologist and by tests in order to exclude or confirm multiple sclerosis.
Other conditions that may cause distortions in smell include viral infections, sinusitis, upper respiratory tract infections, head trauma, toxicity etc.
In conclusion, I think you should get evaluated by an ENT Doctor about smell issues and by a Neurologist about multiple sclerosis.
Hope you found the answer helpful.
Let me know if I can assist you further.
Greetings.
ENT and Neurologist evaluation necessary.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thanks for using HCM.
I have read your question and understand your concerns.
Lipoma of the quadrigeminal plate is not responsible for your symptoms related to distorted smell, but it should be followed up clinically and by imaging studies because it may cause increased intracranial pressure.
Multiple sclerosis is one of the possible conditions that may cause distortions in smell, but other symptoms ( numbness, vision problems, tingling, fatigue, speech issues etc.) are more typical in this disease.
It is necessary to get evaluated by a Neurologist and by tests in order to exclude or confirm multiple sclerosis.
Other conditions that may cause distortions in smell include viral infections, sinusitis, upper respiratory tract infections, head trauma, toxicity etc.
In conclusion, I think you should get evaluated by an ENT Doctor about smell issues and by a Neurologist about multiple sclerosis.
Hope you found the answer helpful.
Let me know if I can assist you further.
Greetings.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Thank-you for your quick response, but I would like some more information if possible.
The VA does not seem to be concerned at all, but I am.
What prompted me to go to the emergency room in the first place was a vision and confusion problem. At work my computer screen turned orange, I got tunnel vision, and became very confused. I felt weird that morning but went to work anyway. That was 2 years ago.
That is when they discovered the lipoma, and areas of increased signal in the left frontal white matter.
The VA blamed these symtoms on a newly prescribed drug, Gabapentin, for nerve pain in my back, and it has been taken away.
I have not had tunnel vision, or orange areas in my vision sense the drug was stopped, but my vision has not been the same. I have a very difficult time focusing when reading. And very often see spots, or flashes in my peripheral vision.
I have almost continues tingling and numbness in my lower back and upper buttocks. And very often in my feet.
I also have a very difficult time falling asleep, and wake up several times a night.
I am also having memory and concentration problems. Examples include passwords and passcodes at work. And also some points of a conversation that I have no memory of.
The smell problem is the latest of my concerns, for about 6 months now.
I would appreciate some input on what to tell the VA.
The VA does not seem to be concerned at all, but I am.
What prompted me to go to the emergency room in the first place was a vision and confusion problem. At work my computer screen turned orange, I got tunnel vision, and became very confused. I felt weird that morning but went to work anyway. That was 2 years ago.
That is when they discovered the lipoma, and areas of increased signal in the left frontal white matter.
The VA blamed these symtoms on a newly prescribed drug, Gabapentin, for nerve pain in my back, and it has been taken away.
I have not had tunnel vision, or orange areas in my vision sense the drug was stopped, but my vision has not been the same. I have a very difficult time focusing when reading. And very often see spots, or flashes in my peripheral vision.
I have almost continues tingling and numbness in my lower back and upper buttocks. And very often in my feet.
I also have a very difficult time falling asleep, and wake up several times a night.
I am also having memory and concentration problems. Examples include passwords and passcodes at work. And also some points of a conversation that I have no memory of.
The smell problem is the latest of my concerns, for about 6 months now.
I would appreciate some input on what to tell the VA.
Brief Answer:
Multiple sclerosis to consider.
Detailed Answer:
Welcome back and thanks for the additional info.
These new symptoms you describe may be related to multiple sclerosis, so, in my opinion, you should be evaluated further.
MRI you referred is too old, so, a new MRI of brain and spinal cord is necessary to evaluate evolution of white matter lesions.
A spinal tap also may be helpful in confirming or excluding the MS diagnosis.
Discuss with a Neurologist about these issues.
Hope I helped you.
Kind regards.
Multiple sclerosis to consider.
Detailed Answer:
Welcome back and thanks for the additional info.
These new symptoms you describe may be related to multiple sclerosis, so, in my opinion, you should be evaluated further.
MRI you referred is too old, so, a new MRI of brain and spinal cord is necessary to evaluate evolution of white matter lesions.
A spinal tap also may be helpful in confirming or excluding the MS diagnosis.
Discuss with a Neurologist about these issues.
Hope I helped you.
Kind regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. REMY KOSHY
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
