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What Does This CAT Scan Of Brain Post Tumor Surgery Indicate?
My father recently had a tumor removed from his cerebellum. Once home, he began to show signs of confusion, halluncinations, talking to himself, and similar symptons. A CAT scan was performed which showed a air bubble is his cranium. I was wondering if this would account for the above symptoms and what would be the procedure to correct the air bubble
Wed, 3 May 2023
Hi,
The air bubble seen on the CAT scan is likely a pneumocephalus, which is the presence of air within the cranium. It can occur as a complication of neurosurgical procedures, such as the tumor removal that your father underwent. Symptoms of pneumocephalus can include confusion, headache, nausea, and vomiting. This can cause seizures or even unconsciousness in severe cases. The symptoms your father is experiencing may be related to the pneumocephalus.
The treatment for pneumocephalus depends on the size and location of the air bubble. In some cases, no treatment is necessary and the air will be reabsorbed by the body over time. However, in cases where the pneumocephalus is causing significant symptoms, treatment may be necessary. One common treatment is to place a small drain in the cranium to remove the excess air. This can help to relieve pressure on the brain and alleviate symptoms.
In some cases, surgery may be necessary to remove the air bubble or repair any underlying issues that may be causing it. It is important to follow up with your father's medical team to discuss the specific findings of his CAT scan and to determine the best course of action for his treatment. They can also provide more information on the risks and benefits of any proposed interventions.
Take care. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Priyanka, General & Family Physician
The air bubble seen on the CAT scan is likely a pneumocephalus, which is the presence of air within the cranium. It can occur as a complication of neurosurgical procedures, such as the tumor removal that your father underwent. Symptoms of pneumocephalus can include confusion, headache, nausea, and vomiting. This can cause seizures or even unconsciousness in severe cases. The symptoms your father is experiencing may be related to the pneumocephalus.
The treatment for pneumocephalus depends on the size and location of the air bubble. In some cases, no treatment is necessary and the air will be reabsorbed by the body over time. However, in cases where the pneumocephalus is causing significant symptoms, treatment may be necessary. One common treatment is to place a small drain in the cranium to remove the excess air. This can help to relieve pressure on the brain and alleviate symptoms.
In some cases, surgery may be necessary to remove the air bubble or repair any underlying issues that may be causing it. It is important to follow up with your father's medical team to discuss the specific findings of his CAT scan and to determine the best course of action for his treatment. They can also provide more information on the risks and benefits of any proposed interventions.
Take care. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Priyanka, General & Family Physician
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