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What Causes Pressure In Head When Suffering From Severe Degenerative Cervical Spondylosis?

Posted on Wed, 11 Feb 2015

Question: Hello, My 95 year old father was diagnosed 11 years ago with extensive and severe degenerative cervical spondylosis. Lately he is complaining about symptoms he experiences when he turns his head to the right: He hears a tone and has some kind feeling of panic and or pressure in the front of his head which he describes as "feeling like he's drowning". I don't think he means that literally but it's very unsettling whatever it is . Lately it has become more frequent. His regular doctor just says that it's arthritis and there's not much to be done about it.The doctor said pain pills or a physical therapist . I think he should be reevaluated (new ct scan ,mri etc) and possibly some minimally invasive surgery.What do you think? Also I have the complete findings from the xray.Thanks

Answered by Dr. Prakash H Muddegowda (5 hours later)

Brief Answer:
MRI or arteriography necessary for further diagnos

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for asking.
I am Dr. Prakash HM and I will be answering your query.
Based on your query and report attached, my opinion is as follows:

1. He is having cervical spondylosis.
2. This could be compressing nerves or spinal cord or even the vertebral artery, which could be causing these symptoms.
3. The symptoms at present could be due to compression of vertebral artery, which as it progresses with further compression, will cause dizziness and blackouts.
4. Magnetic resonance imaging or angiography and selective arteriography will be helpful in diagnosis.
Surgery could be difficult due to age and complications could be higher.
Pain management, physiotherapy, avoiding sudden movements in neck could be helpful.

Hope it helps.
Any further queries, happy to help again.

Dr. Prakash HM

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Prakash H Muddegowda (12 hours later)

Dear Doctor Muddegowda : Thank you for your advice . I know that there are surgeries these days that require less actual cutting ,I think its called endoscopic surgery . I was wondering if that form of surgery is available to relieve my fathers malady. Also at his age I worry more about general anaesthesia than I do about cutting . Hopefully these "endoscopic surgeries" would use only local anaesthesia.

Thanks again , Thad Kessler

Answered by Dr. Prakash H Muddegowda (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Non-surgical methods may be necessary.

Detailed Answer:
Hi Thad Kessler,
Thanks for replying.

General anesthesia at this age is usually avoided.

Local and endoscopic surgery will be helpful. However, due to the sensitive location and crowded organs of blood vessels, nerves and bones, any mild damage, could be life threatening. As it is not superficial and is in central location and deep, local anesthesia wont help probably.

Also, at this age, cognition during hospitalization of elderly, deteriorates very fast and he may not be himself, even if any surgery is attempted.

Better to try non-surgical methods.

Hope it helps.
Any further queries, happy to help again.
If you do not have any further queries, you can close the discussion and rate the answer.

Dr. Prakash HM

Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar