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What Causes Severe Cold In Chest, Behind The Neck And Top Of Head?

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Posted on Thu, 28 Apr 2016
Question: Daughter has been suffering from cold chest, back of her neck and the top and side of her head. Initially she had a tingling sensation on one side of her face and jaw and her entire right arm. Today she is g experiencing blurred vision. 3 days ago we took her to the St XXXXXXX hospital ER. There they conducted 5 EKG and blood tests also ran a CTA. The following morning a Stress Test. All reports indicated no problems as related to the cardiac system. It is clear there is something that is causing this and we need help in isolating an appropriate doctor to diagnose this. My daughter is a single 40 year old.
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Answered by Dr. Ilir Sharka (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
I would explain as follows:

Detailed Answer:
Hello!

Welcome and thank you for asking on HCM!

Regarding your concern, I would explain that her symptoms could be related to a central nervous system demyelinating syndrome.

You should know that CTA is an excellent examination in excluding possible stroke, but it is not very sensible in detecting demyelination or inflammation of central nervous system.

I would recommend consulting with a neurologist for a careful physical examination and some tests:

- a brain MRI scan with and without intravenous contrast followed by cervical MRI scan
- lab blood tests (complete blood count, PCR, sedimentation rate, immunological tests like ANA, ANA, complements levels, blood electrolytes)
- visual evoked potentials may be needed if suspicions of possible optic nerve damage are raised during physical exam
- A spinal tap may be needed if an inflammatory or demyelinating disorder of CNS is suspected.

If all the above tests result normal, anxiety should be taken into consideration as a possible cause of this symptomatology.

You should discuss with her attending physician on these issues.

Hope you will find this answer helpful!

Kind regards,

Dr. Iliri
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Ilir Sharka

Cardiologist

Practicing since :2001

Answered : 9536 Questions

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What Causes Severe Cold In Chest, Behind The Neck And Top Of Head?

Brief Answer: I would explain as follows: Detailed Answer: Hello! Welcome and thank you for asking on HCM! Regarding your concern, I would explain that her symptoms could be related to a central nervous system demyelinating syndrome. You should know that CTA is an excellent examination in excluding possible stroke, but it is not very sensible in detecting demyelination or inflammation of central nervous system. I would recommend consulting with a neurologist for a careful physical examination and some tests: - a brain MRI scan with and without intravenous contrast followed by cervical MRI scan - lab blood tests (complete blood count, PCR, sedimentation rate, immunological tests like ANA, ANA, complements levels, blood electrolytes) - visual evoked potentials may be needed if suspicions of possible optic nerve damage are raised during physical exam - A spinal tap may be needed if an inflammatory or demyelinating disorder of CNS is suspected. If all the above tests result normal, anxiety should be taken into consideration as a possible cause of this symptomatology. You should discuss with her attending physician on these issues. Hope you will find this answer helpful! Kind regards, Dr. Iliri