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Are Persistent Headaches Normal After Craniotomy?
Question: Is it normal to continue having headaches a year and a half after a craniotomy? and is it a concern if the skull is bumpy and/ or has an indent ion around the site where part of the skull was temporarily removed (incision area)
Brief Answer:
Severe persistent headache might require CT or MRI scan after discussion.
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for writing in to us.
I have read through your query in detail.
It is important to know why you got the craniotomy done, was it done following an injury or a tumor that was required to be excised.
In my clinical practice, I have come across many patients having complains similar to the one you have. While a slight headache is common, a severe and persistent headache always needs to be discussed with your doctors. In most patients it is not a serious concern unless the surgery has developed complications or there is recurrence of tumor is suspected.
In most cases, a small bumpy area with soft depression persists in the area of craniotomy where the burr hole is made is expected and not a serious concern.
However, should you have severe pain in the area or if the craniotomy was done for a tumor excision then a follow up CT or MRI scan brain might be required after discussing with the neurosurgeon.
Hope this answers your question. Please feel free to correct any oversight in my interpretation of your problems and discuss them in detail as per your requirements.
Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Dr.Vivek
Severe persistent headache might require CT or MRI scan after discussion.
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for writing in to us.
I have read through your query in detail.
It is important to know why you got the craniotomy done, was it done following an injury or a tumor that was required to be excised.
In my clinical practice, I have come across many patients having complains similar to the one you have. While a slight headache is common, a severe and persistent headache always needs to be discussed with your doctors. In most patients it is not a serious concern unless the surgery has developed complications or there is recurrence of tumor is suspected.
In most cases, a small bumpy area with soft depression persists in the area of craniotomy where the burr hole is made is expected and not a serious concern.
However, should you have severe pain in the area or if the craniotomy was done for a tumor excision then a follow up CT or MRI scan brain might be required after discussing with the neurosurgeon.
Hope this answers your question. Please feel free to correct any oversight in my interpretation of your problems and discuss them in detail as per your requirements.
Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Dr.Vivek
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Since I have been just passed and passed from dr. To dr and at times for reasons so insane I almost just can't enter a drs office again ... For some time I was just horrified that I couldn't even discuss it. I has two or three terrible experiences that I may have contributed to in some erroneous way but for the life of me don't know what I could have done differently I now seen stuck with certainly PTSD symptoms and couldn't enter an office without having a full blown panic attack and then it was like the next circumstance fed off of the unresolved one before it. I Began taking someone in with me for at least a couple of times and this helped some... But original doctor I was with for so long who misdiagnosed me and promised to amend and now my time is up for legal recourse... Not that I wanted this to begin with but I have been turned down for SSDI due to his and another's records already and wonder in med board can assist me with this. I know I can make mistakes and do not mind admitting if error is mine... But in one case what happen was INSANE... I I no longer trust anyone ... Know u can't FIX ALL ... But any advice you can give? Will med board mediate?
There have been some out and out LIES put in my record and I feel that if I sign SSDI papers it is the same as admitting it is true. And I will not do that am afraid I might starve first. But that's not logical. Surely being an MD does not make it OK to say whatever you want to ?alledge... Is there actually a moratorium on the truth and does a Doctor really own the truth?
My daughter has and died from aaa double Neg inflammatory breast cancer ... Very young 1/4 left before college graduation had married about 7 months prior and had a beautiful baby girl and next thing we heard was the cancer. Then went and they proclaimed it absolutely gone (not accrual remission) and 3 months later SHE WAS GONE. NOW X HUSBAND HAD BREAKDOWN... Just great ... He is "out there" and beyond work... I am divorced with 24 year old son ... We were all original drs patients... My son still sees him ...partly because don't think he knows what to do next... Anyway my folks are elderly father has caused me A LOT. Of problems... Not himself my mom died. Year fete my daughter I spent 3 years watching everyone die... Used to own business & sold in down economy after 25 years ... And this guy knows all of this... During all of this with tumor I could hardly think and this guy is like he's out to give me. Heart attack or something and has got to know that would hurt my son... A the least... But what happened to do no harm?
There have been some out and out LIES put in my record and I feel that if I sign SSDI papers it is the same as admitting it is true. And I will not do that am afraid I might starve first. But that's not logical. Surely being an MD does not make it OK to say whatever you want to ?alledge... Is there actually a moratorium on the truth and does a Doctor really own the truth?
My daughter has and died from aaa double Neg inflammatory breast cancer ... Very young 1/4 left before college graduation had married about 7 months prior and had a beautiful baby girl and next thing we heard was the cancer. Then went and they proclaimed it absolutely gone (not accrual remission) and 3 months later SHE WAS GONE. NOW X HUSBAND HAD BREAKDOWN... Just great ... He is "out there" and beyond work... I am divorced with 24 year old son ... We were all original drs patients... My son still sees him ...partly because don't think he knows what to do next... Anyway my folks are elderly father has caused me A LOT. Of problems... Not himself my mom died. Year fete my daughter I spent 3 years watching everyone die... Used to own business & sold in down economy after 25 years ... And this guy knows all of this... During all of this with tumor I could hardly think and this guy is like he's out to give me. Heart attack or something and has got to know that would hurt my son... A the least... But what happened to do no harm?
Brief Answer:
Please write in a little detail about your tumor surgery.
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for writing back with an update.
I am sorry to hear about the suffering you have been through and would certainly like to know in detail about your health condition and the reasons you would like to be on the SSDI. It is important to review your earlier medical problems in detail and then try and solve the current problems you are having.
It is sad to know about the recent developments at your end and I am sure brighter days are waiting ahead for you and your son.
Errors are made by everyone and I admit things might have been handled in the wrong way concerning you. There is a need to know about your tumor and treatment details so that I can guide you with proper suggestions.
Most tumors in brain, if benign, are usually not a concern once they have been operated upon. Please write back and I will reply soon.
Take care and praying for your good health.
Reagrds,
Dr.Vivek
Please write in a little detail about your tumor surgery.
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for writing back with an update.
I am sorry to hear about the suffering you have been through and would certainly like to know in detail about your health condition and the reasons you would like to be on the SSDI. It is important to review your earlier medical problems in detail and then try and solve the current problems you are having.
It is sad to know about the recent developments at your end and I am sure brighter days are waiting ahead for you and your son.
Errors are made by everyone and I admit things might have been handled in the wrong way concerning you. There is a need to know about your tumor and treatment details so that I can guide you with proper suggestions.
Most tumors in brain, if benign, are usually not a concern once they have been operated upon. Please write back and I will reply soon.
Take care and praying for your good health.
Reagrds,
Dr.Vivek
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
It was not a malignant tumor it is gone and I feel much better... You have helped... If headaches get worse or more frequent I will go back to neurosurgeon or a neurologist... Sure I should had a follow up scan before much longer. I did not mean x husband... Widower... What a ride...I am sure much of this is just still being overwhelmed. I am still sort of freaked out over all the weird symptoms I am expecting to perhaps be on the lookout for eating the food on one side of the plate, etc... Was supposedly tiny and in parietal lobe. Then my life begins to come apart and I do have just enough sense left to ask "what is the common denominator... Well that was "me" and then I was told it was in the right frontal lobe and I thought I was having a breakdown... Misplacing things... It's an emotional time 4 sure but I'm not able to handle much so begin to feel it's more... When I was told the frontal lobe said well that explains A LOT! Had I just known I would have put my life more in a "holding pattern". Judgement, personlity, ... All that stuff that makes us... Us is scary. And I am sure I at times did not seem myself... But am left pretty angry sometimes because I don't know where I stand and feel a bit like I've been punished for being unwell. But u r right life goes on... But gotta care for my granddaughter too... I m biased but she is very bright 8 yrs old and has a+ average and in the excelled... Top classes. Seeing her father now "check out" is hard for her.
Thank you very much... Happy Hiliday's
Thank you very much... Happy Hiliday's
Brief Answer:
Welcome and Happy Holidays to you.
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for writing back with an update.
Glad to be helping you out with your problems.
Please watch out for any increase in severity of headaches and get a follow up scan done if required.
I am sure God will be kind to you and your family. Great to know about your grand daughter and hope she is a source of happiness to you always.
God bless you and Happy Holidays to you too.
Reagrds,
Dr.Vivek
Welcome and Happy Holidays to you.
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for writing back with an update.
Glad to be helping you out with your problems.
Please watch out for any increase in severity of headaches and get a follow up scan done if required.
I am sure God will be kind to you and your family. Great to know about your grand daughter and hope she is a source of happiness to you always.
God bless you and Happy Holidays to you too.
Reagrds,
Dr.Vivek
Note: For further queries related to kidney problems Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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