Recovery after endoscopic skull base surgery

Endoscopic skull base surgery is the surgery to treat the disease like the tumor or an infection in your brain. This surgery involves open brain surgery to treat.

Complications you may experience after endoscopic skull base surgery:

• You may also have headaches or problems concentrating. It can take up to 4 to 8 weeks to recover from surgery.
• Your wound may be painful after surgery for a minimum of 5 days. 
• You might experience shooting pains and numbness near your incisions, or bruising and swelling may appear around your eyes. 
• The stitches of your wounds go away on their own or need to be removed by doctors within 7 to 10 days, depending on the stitches type.

Here are the following steps to recovery after endoscopic skull base surgery:

•  Getting enough sleep will help you recover.
•  Avoid resting or sleeping in a flat position. You can also raise the headboard of your bed or use a wedge pillow. It prevents headaches or dizziness.
•  Start walking every day because it boosts the flow of blood and prevents constipation and pneumonia.
•  Avoid heavy lifting or exercising until your doctors give you heads up.

Diet

•  There is no particular diet; you can maintain a regular diet. However, when you get bad feelings in the stomach, try low-fat foods or bland, like boiled chicken, toast, plain rice, and yogurt.
•  Fluid intake should be under a doctor’s recommendation.
•  Avoid drinking alcohol during the recovery procedure.

Medicines

• Take medicines only prescribed by doctors.  Also, you need to complete the full   course of medicines as prescribed by your surgeon.
•  Keep the wound clean and dry. Change the bandage as directed by your doctor.
•  Follow-up with your doctor regularly and take only prescribed medicines. Also, do not exceed or suppress the dosage of your medicine.
•  Call your doctor if you are having any problems even unrelated to your surgery. 

This is a general idea about recovery. However, each person recovers at their pace.

Reviewed By: Dr Shyam Sundar K
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What Causes Craniocervical Instability

The craniocervical junction is the place where the skull and the upper spinal cord meet. Craniocervical instability, also known as the syndrome of Occipitoatlantialaxial Hypermobility, is a pathological condition that causes structural weakness in the craniocervical junction. This instability might lead to the deformation of the upper spinal cord, brain stem, and cerebellum.

CAUSES

The different reasons for craniocervical instability to occur might include:

1.Ehlers-danlos Syndrome – This is the syndrome that affects the connective tissues in the body. This condition loosens the ligaments and muscles that hold the parts of the body. It is one of the primary reasons that might lead to craniocervical instability. It is estimated that 1 in 15 people suffering from Ehlers-Danlons syndrome will develop craniocervical instability.

2.Physical Trauma – Any form of physical injuries like accidents, neck injury, or blow to the head that affects the connecting nerves or ligaments can lead to the development of craniocervical instability.

3.Neoplasms – Abnormal growth of cells(tumors) that do not promote the growth of other cells are called neoplasms. Conditions like a bone cyst or blood vessels clot near the cranial nerves might lead to cervical instability.

4.Inflammatory Diseases – Conditions like arthritis that cause swelling or inflammation of the joints might also be one of the reasons for the development of the condition.

5. Congenital– the diseases like downs syndrome or dwarfism that are present from the birth might also cause instability in the craniocervical junction.

6.Nerve Dysfunction – repetitive stress or stretching that occurs on the craniocervical nerves might lead to instability.

7. Cranial Settling – It is the condition when the skull sinks downward on the spine, causing pressure on the surrounding nerves and muscles. The pressure exerted might lead to instability in the cervical region.

8.Retro Flexed Odontoid – Misaligned odontoid bone can be caused due to loose ligaments that push backward, which in turn compresses the brain stem causing instability.

Craniocervical instability can be identified with signs such as severe headaches, pressure headaches, neck pain, facial pain, muscle weakness, sleep apnea, and many more.

Usually, the condition is diagnosed using MRI and CT scans or by Invasive Cervical Traction. The most common treatment method is to perform a craniocervical fusion.

For any neurological related problems, contact Dr.Shyam Sundar K, One of the leading neurologists based in Chennai.

Reviewed By: Dr Shyam Sundar K
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What Are The Warning Signs Of The Brain Tumor?

The abnormal cells that are either benign or malignant developed in and around the brain are known as brain tumors. They are around 130 different types of brain tumors that might develop in the brain or spread from other parts of the body. It is estimated that more than 500 new cases of brain tumors are diagnosed worldwide every day, and around 2500 Indian kids suffer from the disease every year. Unlike before the survival rate of people with brain tumors has increased drastically due to the early identification of symptoms and improvised treatment procedures. 

The effectiveness of the treatment and eradication of the disease hugely relies on how early the symptoms can be identified. The symptoms of brain tumors can be general or specific.

General Symptoms

These are the symptoms that are caused due to the pressure put by the tumor on the brain or spinal cord. The symptoms might include

Headaches – This is the common sign of brain tumor that more than 50% of people experience. The severity of the pains varies as the day progress, but your head badly hurts during the morning.

Seizures – This is often the first sign of brain tumors that are caused due to the tumor's interference with the brain's electrical activities.

Clumsiness And Numbness – Fumbling with keys, problem while speaking and swallowing, losing feeling in any part of the body can be related to tumors in the brain.

Memory Loss And Confusion - Getting confused over small activities, unable to concentrate, and have issues remembering things.

Fatigue And Nausea – Often, people feel exhausted and sleep for long hours and feel irritability and heaviness in their limbs. Nausea is caused due to the hormonal imbalance caused by the tumor.

Specific Symptoms

Based on these symptoms, the exact location of a tumor in the brain can be pinpointed. Based on the location the signs caused by the tumor include and not limited to

Vision Problems – If individuals are experiencing a problem with their vision, tumors can be located either in the optic nerve, pituitary gland, or temporal lobe.

Speech And Writing Problem - the tumor can be located either in part of the cerebrum, cerebellum, or temporal lobe.

Balance Issues – The tumor can be located at the base of the brain or in the cerebellum.

Hearing Problem – The location of the tumor can be either near cranial nerves or temporal lobe.

Facial Weakness Or Numbness – The tumor can be present near the brain stem.

The above signs and symptoms need not necessarily confirm the presence of tumors but can guide us in getting an immediate diagnosis. Only an expert doctor can confirm the presence of tumors after a physical examination and diagnostic tests.

Overcome the fear of brain tumors by getting a proper diagnosis and effective treatment from DR.SHYAM SUNDAR K, an expert neurosurgeon who has an impeccable record of handling all the tumor and stroke related cases.

Reviewed By: Dr Shyam Sundar K
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What Are Brain Lesions And How Harmful Are They?

What are Brain Lesions?

 

 A brain lesion is damage or destruction to any part of the brain. It may be due to trauma or any other disease that can cause inflammation, malfunction, or destruction of brain cells or brain tissue. A lesion may be developed only in one part of the brain, or it may be widespread.

The initial damage may be so small that it may not produce any initial symptoms. However, as the condition progresses over time, it creates noticeable physical and mental changes.

 

What Causes Brain Lesions? 

 

• Aging.
• Family history of brain lesions.
• Vascular conditions.
• Trauma to the brain.
• Infections.
• Primary tumors or metastatic tumors
• Autoimmune diseases
• Exposure to radiation or certain chemicals
• Toxins, such as excessive amounts of alcohol or cigarette smoke, in the body.
• Poor diet

What are the different types of Brain Lesions? 

 

• Traumatic: gunshot wound to the brain
• Infectious: meningitis
• Malignant (cancerous): glioma
• Benign (non-cancerous): meningioma
• Vascular: stroke
• Genetic: neurofibromatosis
• Immune: multiple sclerosis
• Plaques (deposits of substances in brain tissue): Alzheimer's disease
• Brain cell death or malfunction: Parkinson's disease
• Ionizing radiation: radiation exposure leading to the death of healthy brain tissue

What are the Symptoms?

 

Depending on the type, size, and location of the lesion symptoms may change. Some of the common symptoms of brain lesion are:

• Headaches
• Neck pain or stiffness
• Nausea, vomiting, and lack of appetite
• Vision changes or eye pain
• Change in behavior and concentration
• Memory loss or confusion
• Seizures
• Fever
• Difficulty moving

How are Brain Lesions Diagnosed?

 

Most brain lesions are not diagnosed until after symptoms appear. Often a brain lesion is initially diagnosed by an internist or a neurologist. Expert neurosurgeons like Dr. Syam Sundar, help diagnose and offer treatment options for each patient depending on the severity of the condition.

The doctor will examine the patient's symptoms and medical history. During the physical examination the doctor may touch the patient's skin with hot, cold or vibrating objects, and also may pinch the patient to check for the feeling of pain, to find the location of the lesion. The doctor may recommend additional tests to assess the condition further, which include: 

• Computed tomography scan (CT or CAT)
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

  

 What are the Treatments?

 

Treatment for brain lesions varies in each case depending on the type of lesion, its location, and cause. Common approaches include: 

• Surgery to remove the lesions that are caused by a brain tumor.
• Chemotherapy and radiation therapy for cancerous lesions.
• Medication to fight infections, such as antibiotics or other antimicrobial drugs.
• Medication to calm the immune system or change the immune system's response. 

Can Brain Lesions be prevented?

 

Many brain lesions are neither preventable nor predictable. However, some guidelines for health maintenance may help prevent some types of brain lesions, such as:

• To quit smoking.
• To Control high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes.
• Always wear a helmet when participating in activities where the head is exposed to danger.
• To avoid radiation and environmental toxins.

Reviewed By: Dr Shyam Sundar K
Visit Us: www.chennaibrainandspine.com
Mail Us: shyamsundar_krishnan@yahoo.com
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