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What Causes Brain Hernia?

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Posted on Mon, 2 Jun 2014
Question: Wondering about intercrainial pressure and possible brain hernia and how they show themselves. So I was diagnosed with non Hodgkin's lymphoma 4 years ago, it was on the watch and wait in the beginning and I didn't want to so traditional treatment (go ahead with the nay Sayers) but that's what I decided to do. Well fast forward 4 years later I am afraid that I need to start treatment but it might be too late. I am afraid it has went to my brain, for the past 2 months I've had intense pressure in my head only when I lay down on the side I'm laying on. If I switch sides then the pressure goes away. Move to the other side pressure comes back like from the inside like there are actually tumors in my head. I know you can't feel tumors buy i swear i do when i'm laying or slmetimes feels lile marbles in other areas. I just feel the pressure. I am afraid this NHL has turned into cns lymphoma. I am now afraid that I am going to have a brain herniation if this is the case. Am I totally off base here, is this even possible for NHL to turn into cns lymphoma and if I am feel pressure is that intercrainial pressure or is that something different? Just the NHL diagnosis years ago that I never really addressed has me freaked the heck out I can't even function on my daily life now my anxiety is so bad. The symptom from NHL that I let go are bad enough with pain now I am worried about the possible brain involvement. I just don't know what this pressure is. Thank you for any replies, ad before anyone starts yes I know I should have done treatment earlier and I do regret that. Thanks!
doctor
Answered by Dr. Sudhir Kumar (19 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
These are not symptoms of brain herniation.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thank you for posting your query.

I have noted your current symptoms and diagnosis.

It is unlikely that you have CNS lymphoma and your symptoms are not suggestive of brain herniation.

In brain herniation, the person has severe headache with vomiting, especially on waking up in mornings. There would be blurred or double vision, and most importantly, there is drowsiness and decrease in alertness.

Eye examination would show swelling of optic nerve head, called as papilledema.

Other signs of brain involvement to look for are weakness of arm or leg on one side, and seizures (fits).

In case of doubt, a brain scan such as MRI would confirm or exclude the brain lymphoma.

I hope my answer helps. Please get back if you have any follow up queries or if you require any additional information.

Wishing you good health,

Dr Sudhir Kumar MD (Internal Medicine), DM (Neurology) XXXXXXX Consultant Neurologist
Apollo Hospitals, Hyderabad, India
Click on this link to ask me a DIRECT QUERY: http://bit.ly/Dr-Sudhir-kumar
My BLOG: http://bestneurodoctor.blogspot.in


Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Sudhir Kumar (31 minutes later)
Thank you for the speedy reply. 2 more questions regarding this.

Any idea what the head pressure is when I lay down then on the side that I am laying on, if I switch sides the pressure lightens up and goes to new side I am laying on. On too if that my head feels clogged like I need to pop my ears all the time.

Also does non Hodgkin's lymphoma ever turn into CNS lymphoma? This lressure akin laying for the last 2 months just really has me wondering
doctor
Answered by Dr. Sudhir Kumar (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
More likely related to ear.

Detailed Answer:
Thank you for getting back.

Your current symptoms are most likely related to ear/vestibular nerve related. In some cases, cervical spine problems such as disc disease can also cause these symptoms.

It is very unlikely for NHL to "turn to" CNS lymphoma, however, NHL can have lesions (disease) in the brain at the initial stage of diagnosis also.

Best wishes,
Dr Sudhir Kumar MD DM (Neurology)
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Sudhir Kumar

Neurologist

Practicing since :1994

Answered : 6231 Questions

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What Causes Brain Hernia?

Brief Answer: These are not symptoms of brain herniation. Detailed Answer: Hi, Thank you for posting your query. I have noted your current symptoms and diagnosis. It is unlikely that you have CNS lymphoma and your symptoms are not suggestive of brain herniation. In brain herniation, the person has severe headache with vomiting, especially on waking up in mornings. There would be blurred or double vision, and most importantly, there is drowsiness and decrease in alertness. Eye examination would show swelling of optic nerve head, called as papilledema. Other signs of brain involvement to look for are weakness of arm or leg on one side, and seizures (fits). In case of doubt, a brain scan such as MRI would confirm or exclude the brain lymphoma. I hope my answer helps. Please get back if you have any follow up queries or if you require any additional information. Wishing you good health, Dr Sudhir Kumar MD (Internal Medicine), DM (Neurology) XXXXXXX Consultant Neurologist Apollo Hospitals, Hyderabad, India Click on this link to ask me a DIRECT QUERY: http://bit.ly/Dr-Sudhir-kumar My BLOG: http://bestneurodoctor.blogspot.in