HomeAnswersNeurologybrainstem lesionCan my symptoms occur due to brainstem lesions?

Are these symptoms connected with Brainstem Lesions?

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The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.

Medically reviewed by

Dr. K. Shobana

Published At November 24, 2017
Reviewed AtFebruary 21, 2024

Patient's Query

Hi Doctor,

Around eight months back, I had a numb feeling in my nose. I ignored it because I had three abscessed teeth on my left side, and I thought the numbness was due to that. It gradually went away, and I forgot about it. Last month, my daughter fell sick, and I was going through some extreme stress. I started getting the numb feeling again, and now it is up to my left temple. There is pressure from my nose to the left temple with numbness and sometimes tingling sensation. Then suddenly, tinnitus set in my left ear, a loud high pitch. Also, I had a burning tongue symptom. I got scared and went to an ear nose and throat (ENT) doctor. He took a hearing test and told me that I did not have any hearing loss. He blamed it all on my abscessed tooth and said to go to the dentist. I have got all three teeth pulled out. I was given intravenous and local anesthesia as well during the process. After recovery, the tinnitus has not gone away, and the sensations are becoming worse and weird day by day. My problems are as follows: 1) Numb sensation in my nose to my left temple region. 2) Tenderness of the scalp. 3) Burning sensation on the left side of my mouth and tongue. 4) Dull pain on my face, which is very sensitive to touch. 5) Jaw seems a bit inflamed, 6) Itching sensation on my face, eyes, legs, arms, etc. 7) Pressure in the ears. 8) Shakiness. 9) Chill feeling and weak legs and arms at times, especially at night, and the pain in my neck and shoulders. Tooth healing has gone well. These symptoms are weird and appear on and off. I am confused. My doctor says that I got anxiety, but I am feeling these physical symptoms. My neurologist has told me that my magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is normal. He also ran a test to rule out carpal tunnel syndrome and the nerve function in my hands and legs. One of my legs has reduced sensitivity. He has prescribed me some medicines, and I am not happy with his approach. I am really scared of these symptoms. Please help.

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com. I have read your question with care and understand your problems. All your symptoms can occur in brainstem lesions. Routine MRI sequences may not identify many lesions in the early stages. You have to do the following tests: 1. MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) - Diffusion and ADC (apparent diffusion coefficient). 2. MR (magnetic resonance) tractography. 3. PET (positron emission tomography) scan to find the metabolism of the brainstem. The symptoms you have narrated can also occur if there is reduced blood flow to the brainstem. This condition is called vertebrobasilar insufficiency. This may be detected by CT (computed tomography), angiography of the brain, MRI angiography of the brain, and DSA (digital subtraction angiography). Also, the symptoms you have told can occur as a part of a systemic problem like low blood pressure and anemia. Low blood pressure (hypotension) can be checked by measuring your BP (blood pressure), and anemia can be confirmed by checking your blood hemoglobin levels. Revert in case of further queries.

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. J. Mariano Anto Bruno Mascarenhas
Dr. J. Mariano Anto Bruno Mascarenhas

Neurosurgery

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