Could Numbness In Lower Left Side Of My Jaw And Recurrent Cramps In The Neck Be Due To Tonsil Cancer Or Lymphedema?

Posted on Sat, 23 Sep 2023

Question: I am 73 years old and for the past two years I have had recurring cramps on both sides of my neck and three months ago the lower left side of my chin became numb, as well as the left side of my lower lip and the gum area behind my lip. In 2004 I had two lymph nodes removed from the left side of my neck which was followed by aggressive radiation treatment for tonsicular cancer. I've recently had an MRI, Ultrasound, and a CT with nothing detected. Am I merely being affected by signs of old age or could my condition be a form of lymphedema resulting from the removal of the two lymph nodes and the radiation treatment? Thank you

Answered by Dr. Vasudha (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
The age wise changes &local edema cause it.

Detailed Answer:

Hi,

* With the age a degeneration of all the body is expected. Like wise. You also have degenerative sagging process of vertebral column. The muscle twitches you have on both sides of neck are due to irritation of the supplying nerve at cervical vertebral level of vertebrae due to mild degenerative changes.

* You also had surgery for lymph glands on left side followed by radiation therapy. This must have produced scar tissue &edema (due to lymphatic damage)in the area. Local pressure on the peripheral nerves branches supplying chin, gums cause you the numbness on chin & gums.

Such numbness needs specific drug to sooth the irritated nerve fibers (like Pregabanyl).

* As no major bony lesion is seen in MRI/CT scan, you would need a nuero-physician's advice for specific physiotherapy as well as dosage of the medicines.

I hope that answers your query. Any follow up query is welcome. Thanks.

Regards

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Remy Koshy