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Scalp Is Sensitive To Touch. Feeling Dizzy And Swollen Ear. MRI And CAT Scan Normal. Worrisome
Question: My scalp is sensitive to touch. I can get dizzy by touching it. At times, the veins above my left ear feel swollen. This is worse at the end of the day and subsides overnight. Numerous mri's, cat scans etc., are normal.
Hi,
Thank you for your query.
1. This seems to be one of the following:
a. Trigeminal Neuralgia. The scalp is innervated by branches from two main sources: The Trigeminal Nerve and Cervical Spinal Nerves (C2) Division. Sometimes it is atypical.
b. Temporal Arteritis (Giant Cell Arteritis or Horton's Disease) and sometimes accompanied by Polymyalgia Rheumatica.
c. Referred pain after dental procedures, sinus infections or a nerve demyelination syndrome.
2. Reassess your CT and MRI Scans for lesions involving the pathway of these nerves. If they are still reported normal, it is good and a trial of medication may be taken. A biopsy may be required if Temporal Arteritis is suspected.
3. Dizziness may be explained by the compression of the Cervical spinal nerves causing spasm or tightness of the neck muscles.
4. Common specific anti-neuralgia drugs are Amytriptyline, Carbamazepine and Gabapentin. These should be tried only under medical supervision. there are other medications and procedures such a rhizotomy by alcohol injection, gamma knife or radio-frequency ablation.
I must emphasize that there is no cause for worry. Discuss this with your physicians.
I hope that I have answered your query. If you have any further queries, I will be available to answer them.
Regards.
Thank you for your query.
1. This seems to be one of the following:
a. Trigeminal Neuralgia. The scalp is innervated by branches from two main sources: The Trigeminal Nerve and Cervical Spinal Nerves (C2) Division. Sometimes it is atypical.
b. Temporal Arteritis (Giant Cell Arteritis or Horton's Disease) and sometimes accompanied by Polymyalgia Rheumatica.
c. Referred pain after dental procedures, sinus infections or a nerve demyelination syndrome.
2. Reassess your CT and MRI Scans for lesions involving the pathway of these nerves. If they are still reported normal, it is good and a trial of medication may be taken. A biopsy may be required if Temporal Arteritis is suspected.
3. Dizziness may be explained by the compression of the Cervical spinal nerves causing spasm or tightness of the neck muscles.
4. Common specific anti-neuralgia drugs are Amytriptyline, Carbamazepine and Gabapentin. These should be tried only under medical supervision. there are other medications and procedures such a rhizotomy by alcohol injection, gamma knife or radio-frequency ablation.
I must emphasize that there is no cause for worry. Discuss this with your physicians.
I hope that I have answered your query. If you have any further queries, I will be available to answer them.
Regards.
Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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