ANA Discussion Forum
General Category => AN Issues => Topic started by: ombrerose4 on June 22, 2011, 08:54:33 am
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I have had a lump on the back of my head located between the area of my AN retrosigmoid scar and my Baha. I have asked my doctors about it several times- as to what they think it might be and what to do about it. Their answer was leave it alone until it becomes a focal point of pain. Well it's not a focal point but if it is unknowingly touched by my physical therapist, or by my hairdresser, or if I lay a certain way it is extremely painful. At the symposium this weekend I spoke to both Dr. Tew and Dr. Niparko. They both felt it was a screw and they both said "Get it out". I've often wondered if this lump was a trigger point for all my various headache issues. Dr. Niparko said it was a possibility and that from his experience the pain in the area will get worse as I age. So I contacted my neurotologist and he wants to send me for a CT with a marker on the spot before he attempts any removal. Hoping to get the scan done next week and will let you know what they found.
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I had a bump next to my BAHA and it caused no pain, but it bothered me that it was there. It was between my BAHA and my translab incision. Turned out, it was a stitch that did not dissolve and finally worked its way the the surface almost a year following my surgery. Hopefully you may be lucky enough that yours is the same.
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Lauren ~
Jan ('leapyrtwins') had a skull screw loosen and she had it removed, so it does happen. As I recall her post, it was a simple procedure. However, I think your doctor is prudent in ordering a 'targeted' CT scan before doing anything.
Jim
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Just had to comment because my 11 yr. old was asking more questions about my head & surgery today (because we were discussing a broken bone on my other sons foot). ANyways, he asked if I had screws in my head holding parts of it together ;) I explained to him how mine (from Middle Fossa) does have the bone put back in and some screws with titanium mesh pieces holding it in place. He asked if the screws can come out.....I said rarely, but I HAVE read where it happened. Well, the funny part is when he said "Gee, not only would you have rocks in your head, but you would also have some screws loose up there" Yep, he was being sarcastic, but made me giggle!
I know of one person who did have a screw come loose later and it was causing some problems...until she got it out! Good thing your dr. is going to check it out!!
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Apparently it is not very unusual for stitches to work their way out to the surface ...... but screws coming loose have to be somewhat unusual. So glad your doctor is taking you seriously and finding out for sure before digging around again.
Many thoughts and prayers and let us know what you find out!
Clarice
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Jim's right. I did have a screw removed. One of the ones from my AN surgery was interferring with my BAHA site.
My doc didn't order a CAT scan - it was totally obvious what it was and he had told me at the time of my implant that it might "pop through" the surface of my skin.
Removal was done outpatient - with a screwdriver - only because he wouldn't let me do it in his office (not a sterile environment).
I posted a thread on the Forum along with a picture of the tiny screw; which I still have. The thread is somewhere here if you want to search for it.
Jan
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Oh no. I didn't know about this when I saw you. I guess you went back to Mt Sinai, your original docs. Keep taking your temp. and I'll wait to hear from you about your screw. Good luck this week!
Mei Mei
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Went for my CT scan today and hope to have an answer on Thursday. Will let you know what doc says:)
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I'll be here watching and waiting as they say. Let us know as soon as you hear. Will try to make the meeting on the 16th.
Mei Mei
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Well, I spoke to my doctor today and he said it's not a screw. He's not exactly sure but he does see some kind of protrusion. He thinks it may be from the artificial bone they put in. He wants me to have a MRI (which I'm due for my 2 yr anyway) and then to come in to see him. He said they may need to go in and remold the area. So, another test coming up, another adventure to be had:)
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Oh what fun, eh? :) If that were me, I'd just say that bone coming up like that was because of too much brain in there, and being squeeze out. ;D Seriously though, I hope you get an easy solution to your problem. Let us know how it goes!! Take care!
Jay
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Oh Lauren .....
Just the kind of adventure no one wants! Sure hope the MRI will give needed answers at this point. When do you go for the MRI?
Many thoughts and prayers!
Clarice
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??? Dear Lauren,
This is really difficult for you knowing you have some complication just when you wanted simplicity. Ugh! Life's just not fair. I wish it could have been simpler for you. I'll keep watching for your news...hoping it is simple news.
Hugs,
Mei Mei
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Had MRI Friday morning, waiting for results......
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Go over to the office and pick up the radiology report in person if you have time. The waiting game is so awful!
Hugs,
Mei Mei
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Saw my neurotologist today. My 2 year MRI is clear, but there is something on the CT scan that he said is either a traumatic neuroma or a part of the mesh pushing forward. He's sending an email to my neurosurgeon and said that he's the one that needs to remove it or snip the mesh which he reccommends is the best thing to do. Left a message with the NP who works with my neurosurgeon, have copies of all my scans and hope to get to see him next week. Will keep you posted.
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Oh no! This is definitely not what you need. I wish they didn't have to put the mesh in there. Tod said he didn't have a mesh down at MCV Hospital in Richmond. I hope to see you on Sat at the meeting. I'm taking the 7 am Vamoose bus and it is supposed to take 4 1/2 hours to 31st St.
Let me know when your surgery is and i will be thinking of you. I just hope they don't have to open you up again.
Mei Mei
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Have appointment with my neurosurgeon for Monday morning. Stay tuned..... Mei Mei, can't wait to see you Saturday!
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Lauren .....
What a wild ride! Sure anxious to learn what your neurosurgeon says!
Thoughts and prayers.
Clarice
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Good heavens! I am so sorry you have yet another adventure, but glad you are finally finding out what the heck it is. Thinking of you. Hang in there!
Kathy
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Send us a post as soon as you hear about the neuroma, Lauren
Kathy, you've been through so much and are quite a trooper. God Bless you.
Thinking of all of you as I go to bed tonight.
Mei Mei
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Hi all,
Saw my neurosurgeon this morning. He definitely feels that it is a traumatic neuroma. We discussed several options for treatment from least invasive to more invasive. He would like me to start with the conservative treatment which is Neurontin. He said it has a good history of working well with this neuroma. He wants me to give it 3 months. The next step would be an injection of lidocaine into the area or possibly another medication that would shrink it. The last option would be surgery in his opinion. Since I respect his opinion and he has done right by me I will follow through in the appropriate manner, unless for some reason the area becomes more painful. So although I am not an advocate for medication, I will try the Neurotin and see what happens:)
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Sounds like a good plan, Lauren. One of Dr. Ducic's residents called me this morning to find out how I was doing. He said that I had a neuroma in there and lots of scar tissue that they had to remove before they could get to the nerves to cut and implant into muscle. I worry about the injection of lidocaine or bipuvocaine because that is what made me pass out in Cleveland. Wish we didn't have so many complications. Most of the surgeries I've had made me worse off afterwards, but the one recent one with Dr. Ducic made me better off. It was a breeze.
My thoughts are with you,
Mei Mei
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Lauren .....
I guess it is a good news, bad news situation a little bit. Good that your doctor is trying a conservative approach first. Bad that you developed the traumatic neuroma.
Thoughts and prayers that the Neurotin will do the trick!
Clarice
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Lauren,
I'm catching up on all the messages as I have been in Chicago at a convention for a week. I'm glad you finally found out what this is. I hope the Neurotin works.
Sandy