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Did Meningenoma Removal. Numbness While Sneezing. Was Told Spinal Fluid Not Stabliized. Correct Explanation?

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Posted on Wed, 30 Oct 2013
Question: I am 5 weeks post op from a T4 T5 meningenoma removal. Very successful. I have "shooting" numbness when I sneeze or someone pats my back. When I mentioned this to my Dr - she said that it was because the spinal fluid had not stabliized. I did not ask a follow up at the time. Now I wonder how this is possible as the spinal fluid regenerates so quickly.
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Answered by Dr. Shoaib Khan (58 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Cause: Not CSF shortage but scar tissue

Detailed Answer:
Hello ma'am and welcome.

Thank you for writing to us.

I am afraid the explanation given was mostly incorrect, as you are right; cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) regenerates at almost 500 ml/day. Obviously this amount cannot be accumulated at once, which is why most of it is lost into the blood.

Many patients have experienced a presentation similar to yours, and in majority of cases it is due to scar tissue that is formed from the surgery. Most of these patients are given either steroid shots (dexamethasone) or anti-epileptic medication that helps reduce and in many individuals completely rid them of the shooting numbness like sensation that you have very accurately described.

You may take this discussion up with your doctor, and seek medical management for the same. I hope I have helped to clear your query. Please feel free to write back to me for any further clarifications, I would be more than happy to help.

Take care.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Shoaib Khan

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2009

Answered : 9409 Questions

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Did Meningenoma Removal. Numbness While Sneezing. Was Told Spinal Fluid Not Stabliized. Correct Explanation?

Brief Answer:
Cause: Not CSF shortage but scar tissue

Detailed Answer:
Hello ma'am and welcome.

Thank you for writing to us.

I am afraid the explanation given was mostly incorrect, as you are right; cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) regenerates at almost 500 ml/day. Obviously this amount cannot be accumulated at once, which is why most of it is lost into the blood.

Many patients have experienced a presentation similar to yours, and in majority of cases it is due to scar tissue that is formed from the surgery. Most of these patients are given either steroid shots (dexamethasone) or anti-epileptic medication that helps reduce and in many individuals completely rid them of the shooting numbness like sensation that you have very accurately described.

You may take this discussion up with your doctor, and seek medical management for the same. I hope I have helped to clear your query. Please feel free to write back to me for any further clarifications, I would be more than happy to help.

Take care.