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Suggest Treatment For Severe Headache And Nausea Post A Brain Tumour Removal Surgery
Question: Back in XXXXXXX my girlfriend experienced severe headaches and nauseousness. At one point she was out driving and experienced double vision. She was taking to emergency and for two weeks doctors couldn't understand what was causing the headaches. It turned out she had a brain tumor. First they stated it was cancer and then they came back and stated it was benign. She had surgery and the tumor was removed via her nostrils. She was hospitalized for a month. Eventually, she was released for home, feeling back to normal and even went back to work. For the past couple of weeks she has experienced slight headaches but was able to get rid of them with Aleve. However, earlier in the week those same exact symptoms that she experienced in XXXXXXX have reappeared. Doctors keep prescribing her medication for the headaches and nauseousness but nothing is working. They did an MRI with negative results. What could be the problem?
Brief Answer:
Brain tumor headache treatment
Detailed Answer:
Hi xxxxxxxxx, thanks for asking from HCM.
I can understand your concern. It is sad that your girlfriend had brain tumor.
As the tumor was removed through nose, most probably it was a pituitary adenoma or some nasal mass. I request you please send me images of MRI brain or at least report of past MRI and recent MRI. It will help me in understanding her disease.
The headache after brain tumor surgery could be due to many reasons like
: Recurrence of tumor - It has been ruled out in your wife by imaging. But still please send me the images. I want to check it myself
: Infection - If there was any CSF (brain fluid) leak from operation site, it can cause infection and headache, nausea, vomiting, neck pain, visual disturbance.
: CSF leak only - Continous CSF leak can lead to low pressure in head and stretching of brain membranes (Dura). It leads to headache
: Prolapse of brain and optic nerves in pituitary fossa (Empty sella syndrome) - It is a common entity after surgery. After tumor removal, there is empty space left in that part. The brain and vision nerves (optic nerve) can fall into it and cause headache
: Nasal blockade - After surgery through nose, adhesions and scarring occur in nose. It leads to repeated blockade in nose and headache. To rule to it, please show her nose to ENT doctor.
: Decreased visual acuity - Decreased visual acuity can cause headache. It can decrease due to tumor effect.
So there are so many causes of headache. We can rule it out by MRI findings, visual acuity, checking her nose, taking history of any fluid leak from nose.
To treat pain, she can follow few tips
: Avoid blowing nose
: Avoid constipation, sneezing, severe cough.
: If nasal blockade is there, ask her to use "warm water nasal drops" along with Xylometazoline 2 drops thrice a day after prescription
: She can take tablet Diclofenac paracetamol combination to treat pain after prescription
: Avoid bright light, physical exertion and mental stress.
Hope it will help you. If still in doubt, do let me know.
Thanks. Take care
Brain tumor headache treatment
Detailed Answer:
Hi xxxxxxxxx, thanks for asking from HCM.
I can understand your concern. It is sad that your girlfriend had brain tumor.
As the tumor was removed through nose, most probably it was a pituitary adenoma or some nasal mass. I request you please send me images of MRI brain or at least report of past MRI and recent MRI. It will help me in understanding her disease.
The headache after brain tumor surgery could be due to many reasons like
: Recurrence of tumor - It has been ruled out in your wife by imaging. But still please send me the images. I want to check it myself
: Infection - If there was any CSF (brain fluid) leak from operation site, it can cause infection and headache, nausea, vomiting, neck pain, visual disturbance.
: CSF leak only - Continous CSF leak can lead to low pressure in head and stretching of brain membranes (Dura). It leads to headache
: Prolapse of brain and optic nerves in pituitary fossa (Empty sella syndrome) - It is a common entity after surgery. After tumor removal, there is empty space left in that part. The brain and vision nerves (optic nerve) can fall into it and cause headache
: Nasal blockade - After surgery through nose, adhesions and scarring occur in nose. It leads to repeated blockade in nose and headache. To rule to it, please show her nose to ENT doctor.
: Decreased visual acuity - Decreased visual acuity can cause headache. It can decrease due to tumor effect.
So there are so many causes of headache. We can rule it out by MRI findings, visual acuity, checking her nose, taking history of any fluid leak from nose.
To treat pain, she can follow few tips
: Avoid blowing nose
: Avoid constipation, sneezing, severe cough.
: If nasal blockade is there, ask her to use "warm water nasal drops" along with Xylometazoline 2 drops thrice a day after prescription
: She can take tablet Diclofenac paracetamol combination to treat pain after prescription
: Avoid bright light, physical exertion and mental stress.
Hope it will help you. If still in doubt, do let me know.
Thanks. Take care
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Veerisetty Shyamkumar
Answered by
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