Effective Treatments for Skull Base Pseudotumors: Chemotherapy, Surgery, and More
Chemotherapy, augmented with surgery? How should a physician treat a pseudotumor at the skull base, which is characterized by fibrosis (also known as scarring), in order to achieve healing? Is chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or surgery recommended? Thank you!
Dr. Xie Bojun Reply:
Hello, WANG~ Currently, our hospital does not offer chemotherapy combined with surgical procedures. We recommend that you consult with other medical centers. Thank you.[Read More] Effective Treatments for Skull Base Pseudotumors: Chemotherapy, Surgery, and More
Post-Surgery Care for Brain Hemorrhage: Understanding Treatment Options
Post-operative treatment for cerebral hemorrhage? Hello doctor, we are truly helpless and don’t know what else we can do… My father has severe Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and hydrocephalus. In January, he experienced severe drowsiness, not eating or drinki...
Dr. Zhang Yuanyi Reply:
Hello: Generally speaking, the prognosis for left hemisphere hemorrhage is poor. If the patient's preoperative condition is not good, they are older, and their level of consciousness is quite low, the prognosis is likely to be unfavorable regardless of whether surgery is per...[Read More] Post-Surgery Care for Brain Hemorrhage: Understanding Treatment Options
Choosing Between Titanium Implants and Original Skull for Cranioplasty
Regarding skull issues? For my 70-year-old mother, who underwent surgery for a ruptured cerebral aneurysm and had her skull removed, we are considering whether to use a titanium alloy cranial implant or to reattach the original skull bone (which has been preserved at low temperat...
Dr. Zhang Yuanyi Reply:
Dear Jeff, Generally, the primary choice is to use the patient's own bone for grafting. There are occasional concerns about infection with preserved skull bones, but such cases are quite rare, and current preservation techniques are quite good. There is no issue of rejectio...[Read More] Choosing Between Titanium Implants and Original Skull for Cranioplasty
Understanding Tension in the Temples: Focus Issues and Neurological Concerns
Tension in the temples and cognitive impairment? I have been experiencing tightness in my temples for a long time, making it difficult for me to concentrate and remember things. I often forget things and my thought processes are slow. Sometimes, I become fixated on a problem and ...
Dr. Zhang Yuanyi Reply:
Dear Xiao Li, Hello, please visit the neurology outpatient clinic for treatment. Wishing you safety and health. Sincerely, Dr. Zhang Yuanyi, Attending Physician, Department of Neurosurgery, Taoyuan Hospital, Ministry of Health and Welfare.[Read More] Understanding Tension in the Temples: Focus Issues and Neurological Concerns
Understanding Post-Surgery Complications from Intracranial Hemorrhage
Intracranial hemorrhage. Postoperative complications? Doctor: Hello! I would like to ask a question. My daughter is 4 years old. She had a car accident in April, resulting in a skull fracture and subdural hematoma in the left frontal region. Three days later, she underwent a cran...
Dr. Ding Xianwei Reply:
It is important to clarify that generally, it is intracranial hemorrhage that leads to sequelae, while complications from the surgery itself are relatively rare. Due to the lack of complete data, potential sequelae are predicted based on experience. Many injuries may not be visib...[Read More] Understanding Post-Surgery Complications from Intracranial Hemorrhage
Is a 0.6 cm Changing Mole on My Scalp a Cause for Concern?
A 0.6 cm mole has been found on the scalp, and it has changed color? Today, a friend noticed a large mole on the top of my head, near the back of my skull. It has a diameter of about 0.6 centimeters, with a brownish outer edge and a black center that is neither raised nor sunken....
Dr. Zheng Zhong Reply:
You need to see a neurosurgery or plastic surgery outpatient clinic. A direct examination is necessary for diagnosis. Thank you.[Read More] Is a 0.6 cm Changing Mole on My Scalp a Cause for Concern?
Understanding Skull Fractures and Subarachnoid Hemorrhage in Children
Skull fracture and subarachnoid hemorrhage? My child was in a car accident on September 9th. He is only two months old and is currently hospitalized at Far Eastern Memorial Hospital. He has a fracture of the right cranial bone and subarachnoid hemorrhage. The bleeding has stopped...
Dr. Ding Xianwei Reply:
Generally speaking, if there is a recent injury with a compressive skull fracture, surgery is required. However, if the skull fracture has stabilized, surgery may be considered unnecessary. It is important to monitor for the potential risk of seizures associated with skull fractu...[Read More] Understanding Skull Fractures and Subarachnoid Hemorrhage in Children
Understanding Post-Surgery Coma and Brain Injury Recovery
Coma after brain surgery due to a car accident? My mother was hit by a motorcycle while crossing the street and suffered a severe intracranial hemorrhage. She was urgently taken to the hospital, where the doctor reported extensive bleeding and significant edema in the posterior p...
Dr. Ding Xianwei Reply:
I'm sorry to hear about your mother's condition, and I hope she can turn her misfortune into good fortune. Generally speaking, in cases of head trauma, if surgery is performed to remove a hematoma, it is likely that the hematoma was compressing the brain, necessitating ...[Read More] Understanding Post-Surgery Coma and Brain Injury Recovery
Understanding Intracranial Hemorrhage and Coma: Hope and Options
Intracranial hemorrhage with coma? Hello doctor, my father-in-law fell from a height of about three meters yesterday and hit the back of his head directly on the ground, resulting in intracranial hemorrhage. He is currently in a coma, with a Glasgow Coma Scale score of 4 and is n...
Dr. Ding Xianwei Reply:
Hello: Due to the lack of complete information regarding your father-in-law's condition, including details about the bleeding and other related data, I can only make general assessments. Therefore, a detailed diagnosis and treatment should be based on the patient's comp...[Read More] Understanding Intracranial Hemorrhage and Coma: Hope and Options
Recovering from Skull Base Fracture: Tips for Healing and Support
Basilar skull fracture Dear Dr. Hsieh, I have suffered a skull base fracture and was in a coma for about 7 days. It took around 20 days for me to fully regain consciousness and recognize people, with only some vague memories. Now, nearly 3 months have passed, and I am recovering...
Dr. Xie Bojun Reply:
Hello, Xiao Gui: 1. Since you do not have a CT scan report of the brain, your diagnosis based on your complaints is a skull base fracture, possibly accompanied by mild to moderate concussion (due to your loss of consciousness). Recovery from brain injuries typically takes longer...[Read More] Recovering from Skull Base Fracture: Tips for Healing and Support
Post-Surgery Care and Medications for Right Frontal Lobe Injury
What medications or precautions should be considered for damage to the right frontal lobe? Hello Doctor, my father (67 years old) sustained a contusion on the contralateral frontal lobe due to a car accident one week ago. After four days of observation, the doctor decided to perf...
Dr. Ding Xianwei Reply:
Your father's head injury is currently in a critical phase, so it is not possible to assess the prognosis at this time. I would like to highlight two important points to pay attention to: First, your father's condition is still unstable, and he should still be in the in...[Read More] Post-Surgery Care and Medications for Right Frontal Lobe Injury
Understanding Intracranial Noises: Potential Neurological Conditions Explained
Intracranial noise Hello, could you please tell me what diseases might cause intracranial noises in my head? PS: It's not auditory hallucinations and there are no ENT-related issues. Thank you for your clarification!
Dr. Ding Xianwei Reply:
Your issue may require an in-person consultation to resolve. My guess is that your skull might have some unique characteristics that increase resonance. This is the only explanation I can think of at the moment.[Read More] Understanding Intracranial Noises: Potential Neurological Conditions Explained
Understanding a Bump on the Back of the Head: What You Need to Know
There is a protrusion on the back of the head? While studying, I suddenly felt a slight, unusual pain in my brain, so I touched my head and discovered a small bump on the back of my skull. There was no external trauma or impact; I found it by chance. Doctor, what could this situa...
Dr. Zhang Yuanyi Reply:
Dear Mr. Yu-Hao, Hello, the normal human anatomy includes a protrusion at the back of the neck known as the "external occipital protuberance," which may be what you are feeling. However, it could also be indicative of other issues. It is difficult to assess through ema...[Read More] Understanding a Bump on the Back of the Head: What You Need to Know
Understanding Hard Bumps on the Back of the Head: When to Seek Help
Occipital bone lump Hello, a family member has had a hard, protruding area at the lower left back of the head (near the neck) for many years, which they thought was just a prominent skull feature since it wasn't painful. However, they recently noticed that the protrusion has...
Dr. Qiu Yushu Reply:
Hello, please visit the neurosurgery outpatient clinic for examination. Best wishes, Dr. Yu-Shu Chiu.[Read More] Understanding Hard Bumps on the Back of the Head: When to Seek Help
Understanding Brain Aneurysms: Recovery, Risks, and Care Tips
Cerebral aneurysm Dear Dr. Ding, On July 19, I was hospitalized due to dizziness and vomiting, and it was discovered that there was a 1 cm vascular malformation in my brainstem that had hemorrhaged. However, by the time I was admitted, the bleeding had stopped. The neurosurgeon ...
Dr. Ding Xianwei Reply:
Dear Mr. Hong, 1. The likelihood of a clip dislodging is quite low, and we have not heard of any such cases so far. 2. 3. Please discuss this with your surgeon. 4. It is not necessary. 5. In principle, if the surgical clip has been properly placed, there is no need to worry abo...[Read More] Understanding Brain Aneurysms: Recovery, Risks, and Care Tips
Is There a Connection Between Cervical Spine Issues and Sudden Hearing Loss?
Is there a relationship between hearing loss and cervical spine issues? Hello Doctor, I experienced sudden sensorineural hearing loss on October 13th last year. I visited hospitals including Tri-Service General Hospital, National Taiwan University Hospital, and Chang Gung Memoria...
Dr. Qiu Yushu Reply:
Hello: Sudden hearing loss is generally not related to cervical spine issues; it is usually due to vascular problems (similar to a stroke) and is considered an emergency in otolaryngology, requiring urgent treatment. There are many causes of headaches, and it cannot be determined...[Read More] Is There a Connection Between Cervical Spine Issues and Sudden Hearing Loss?
Understanding Hemorrhagic Stroke: A Family's Journey Through Crisis
Hemorrhagic stroke Dear Dr. Ding, My mother suffered a hemorrhagic stroke on February 14. At the nursing station, I saw my father signing the physician's critical condition notice. My father mentioned that she was still asking him for tissue when she arrived at the hospital...
Dr. Ding Xianwei Reply:
Hello: If a patient can survive the critical period of one week after a hemorrhagic stroke, generally speaking, the chances of survival are higher. Your mother may have experienced an intracranial hemorrhage due to anticoagulant therapy, which is inherently a double-edged sword. ...[Read More] Understanding Hemorrhagic Stroke: A Family's Journey Through Crisis
Can You Play Sports After a Head Injury? A Guide for Recovery
Can I exercise after a head injury? I suffered a skull fracture and epidural hematoma due to a car accident last July. I underwent surgery to remove the blood clot and have since recovered well. I would like to know if I can now engage in more intense basketball activities.
Dr. Ding Xianwei Reply:
Hello: It is best to take it easy or to seek out exercises that do not involve muscle impact. Sincerely, Dr. Ding Hsien-Wei, Neurosurgeon.[Read More] Can You Play Sports After a Head Injury? A Guide for Recovery
Unexpected Discovery of Meningioma: What You Need to Know
Incidental discovery of meningioma? Hello, doctor. About a month ago, I bent my head down for about 30 seconds and felt as if blood was rushing to my head. After I lifted my head, I noticed a clear, light yellow fluid coming from my nose (as I had a mild cold at that time). I wen...
Dr. Ding Xianwei Reply:
Hello: Generally speaking, meningiomas have a 55% chance of undergoing malignant transformation if they are benign. If this is the case, surgery is still the most important recommendation. You may want to drink more water to see if it alleviates your headache, or you can bring yo...[Read More] Unexpected Discovery of Meningioma: What You Need to Know
Understanding Meningioma: Treatment Options and Surgical Alternatives
Meningioma What are the treatment options for meningiomas? Are there any methods that can cure it without surgery? What is the likelihood of a complete cure?
Dr. Ding Xianwei Reply:
Hello: Meningiomas are primarily treated with surgery, while other treatments serve as adjuncts. There are no non-surgical methods that can cure them. However, it is essential to know the tumor's location; if it is situated at the skull base, surgery may sometimes be unmanag...[Read More] Understanding Meningioma: Treatment Options and Surgical Alternatives