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What Causes Spinal Cord Inflammation?
Question: I was recently diagnosed with inflammation of the spinal cord. my main symptons are numbness and burning in my feet. and left leg. now I'm experiencing uncontrollable drooling out the left side of my mouth. could this be related ? or is my dr missing something ?
Brief Answer:
Read below.
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
You make a good point the drooling on the left side of your mouth can not be explained by the inflammation of the spinal cord, that doesn't cause symptoms involving the face. It indicates an involvement of the brain. Since inflammation was found in the spine most probably this inflammatory process can have involved the brain as well. It is not uncommon many conditions like MS, vasculitis, infections do involve both spinal cord and brain.
So if you have had no head MRI I think it is absolutely necessary in order to identify these lesions, location, size etc in order to judge on the cause of the inflammation. A lumbar puncture might be necessary as well. Corticosteroids like methylprednisolone may be an appropriate choice to halt progression but in the meanwhile the cause of inflammation must be precised.
I remain at your disposal for further questions.
Read below.
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
You make a good point the drooling on the left side of your mouth can not be explained by the inflammation of the spinal cord, that doesn't cause symptoms involving the face. It indicates an involvement of the brain. Since inflammation was found in the spine most probably this inflammatory process can have involved the brain as well. It is not uncommon many conditions like MS, vasculitis, infections do involve both spinal cord and brain.
So if you have had no head MRI I think it is absolutely necessary in order to identify these lesions, location, size etc in order to judge on the cause of the inflammation. A lumbar puncture might be necessary as well. Corticosteroids like methylprednisolone may be an appropriate choice to halt progression but in the meanwhile the cause of inflammation must be precised.
I remain at your disposal for further questions.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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