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Suggest Treatment For Migraines Along With Numbness And Tingling Sensation

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Posted on Wed, 23 Sep 2015
Question: I've had migraines but maybe only 1-4 a year. I was having some numbness and tingling a couple of years ago with my migraines. My primary sent me to a neurologist. He ordered a mri. An 8mm lesion was found on my left cerebellum. An mri with contrast was done and nothing enhanced. my neurologist said highly unlikely it is a tumor. Did not contrast nor did it look anything characteristic of a tumor. I have not had any symptoms in 5 years. No numbness or tingling. What are the other possible options? Could it be a harmless lesion ...is that even possible? Could it be a tumor even though I haven't had any symptoms in 5 years?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Olsi Taka (34 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Tumor unlikely, can be harmless

Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.

Of course some more info on the exact location of the lesion and its appearance on different sequences might be useful, but however I don't think it is a case of a brain tumor, not a typical location for your age and would have evolved over these years.

Yes it is well possible to be a harmless lesion, actually I would consider it most likely since you have had no symptoms for 5 years. It could be an old lesion since birth or due to an old infection or trauma. Also some changes especially in the posterior part of the brain where the cerebellum is, can be found in migraine patients, in patients suffering for a long time can be several such lesions but they are usually asymptomatic and have not been found to affect performance.

Perhaps a control MRI can be scheduled to check fo new findings, but I since you have been symptom free and the doctors found no worrying indicators the first time I think it'll come back alright.

I remain at your disposal for other questions
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Olsi Taka (24 minutes later)
Radiology report reads...9mm white matter lesion shows no contrast enhancement. No mass effect of edema. No other lesions seen. Could represent dymelination process such as multiple sclerosis, inflammation, infection or least likely nonenhancing neoplastic process.
Other than the occasional migraine in the last 5 years I have had no symptoms. I had no seizures no consistent headaches or pressure. Could this be a tumor? Or is it unlikely without symptoms after 5 years? What else could it be?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Olsi Taka (6 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Not a tumor

Detailed Answer:
Thank you for that update.

As the report says a tumor is the least likely possibility and after 5 years without new symptoms I would say you shouldn't worry, I don't think it's a tumor.
The worry at the time would have been about multiple sclerosis, but again in 5 years there would have been more relapses. As I said a control MRI can be scheduled though.
Most probable guess would be a remnant of an old injury like infection, sort of like an old scar in the brain, they are at times found by coincidence (it is a coincidence in this case as well, as it has no relation to your migraines for which you had the MRI) and it is not possible to determine what type of injury cause that scar. But there was no signs of activity, it's a thing of the past and the following 5 years confirm that.

I hope to have been of helpl.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Olsi Taka

Neurologist

Practicing since :2004

Answered : 3673 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Migraines Along With Numbness And Tingling Sensation

Brief Answer: Tumor unlikely, can be harmless Detailed Answer: I read your question carefully and I understand your concern. Of course some more info on the exact location of the lesion and its appearance on different sequences might be useful, but however I don't think it is a case of a brain tumor, not a typical location for your age and would have evolved over these years. Yes it is well possible to be a harmless lesion, actually I would consider it most likely since you have had no symptoms for 5 years. It could be an old lesion since birth or due to an old infection or trauma. Also some changes especially in the posterior part of the brain where the cerebellum is, can be found in migraine patients, in patients suffering for a long time can be several such lesions but they are usually asymptomatic and have not been found to affect performance. Perhaps a control MRI can be scheduled to check fo new findings, but I since you have been symptom free and the doctors found no worrying indicators the first time I think it'll come back alright. I remain at your disposal for other questions