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What Causes Numbness In Face And Neck After A PFO Closure?

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Posted on Tue, 19 Apr 2016
Question: After my PFO closure, I have had a numb face and neck. I do not know what is going on. Since my procedure, I have had a cervical fusion on C3, C4, and C5 but my face and neck are still numb and constantly lose sensation throughout the day.


I am taking 900 mg Nurontin 3 times a day with Baclofen 10 mg. 3 times a day
doctor
Answered by Dr. Neeraj Kumar (4 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Possibility of nerve compression

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I have gone through your question and understand your concerns.
In your case, Numbness over face may be due to embolic stroke during operation for PFO.
Second possibility may be involvement of fibers of face in higher cervical region due to cervical spondylosis and it's fusion.
Is there any headache, vomiting, seizure, loss of consciousness, visual loss, facial deviation, swallowing difficulty?
For treatment you should do neck isometric exercises and continue medications.
Hopefully it will improve with time.
Regards
Dr N Kumar
Neurologist
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Deepak
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Neeraj Kumar (2 hours later)
My vision has gone down considerably since my pfo repair .
doctor
Answered by Dr. Neeraj Kumar (8 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Upload reports

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
If the onset of facial and neck numbness was sudden onset then a possibility of stroke to be evaluated else, Nerve compression leading to such problems may be considered.
Visual loss to be evaluated by an Ophthalmologist for possibility of cataract or brain related.
If any reports or prescription available then upload.
Regards
Dr N Kumar
Neurologist
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Sonia Raina
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Neeraj Kumar (2 hours later)
My neurosurgeon has told me that nothing in the neck effects the head. What could he mean? He shrugs his shoulders about facial numbness .
doctor
Answered by Dr. Neeraj Kumar (17 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Involvement can occur

Detailed Answer:
Hello, Welcome to HCM.

Some fibers of trigeminal nerve supplying sensation over face descent from brain ( brainstem) to upper cervical neck region and may be involved in some diseases.

Vision involvement is unlikely from neck problem.

Regards
Dr N Kumar
Neurologist
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Neeraj Kumar (39 minutes later)
Can the trigeminal nerve been impacted during a pfo closure through the groin?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Neeraj Kumar (24 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
No, PFO closure procedure doesn't lead to direct compression

Detailed Answer:
Hello, Welcome back to HCM.

No , PFO closure may lead to embolic stroke involving brainstem region thus affecting areas supplying face area. It should be considered if the onset was around this operation and sudden in onset.
Compression of trigeminal nerve fibers in neck may be due to cervical disc problems.
Hope it clears your doubts.

Reports of Mri and prescription may help to get diagnosis.

Regards
Dr N Kumar
Neurologist
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Neeraj Kumar (1 hour later)
Please see attached reports
doctor
Answered by Dr. Neeraj Kumar (14 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Require examination by a neurologist and further investigation

Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX
I have gone through the report.
The description does not show severe involvement of cervical cord and thus the facial numbness cannot be explained by the same.
You should get examined by a neurologist for confirmation of sensation loss and thus may decide regarding brain imaging. Other investigations like nerve conduction study (facial nerve study) and CSF examination may be planned depending upon clinical finding and involvement of other nerves.
Regards
Dr N Kumar
Neurologist
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj
doctor
Answered by
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Dr. Neeraj Kumar

Neurologist

Practicing since :2006

Answered : 2259 Questions

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What Causes Numbness In Face And Neck After A PFO Closure?

Brief Answer: Possibility of nerve compression Detailed Answer: Hello, I have gone through your question and understand your concerns. In your case, Numbness over face may be due to embolic stroke during operation for PFO. Second possibility may be involvement of fibers of face in higher cervical region due to cervical spondylosis and it's fusion. Is there any headache, vomiting, seizure, loss of consciousness, visual loss, facial deviation, swallowing difficulty? For treatment you should do neck isometric exercises and continue medications. Hopefully it will improve with time. Regards Dr N Kumar Neurologist