Had Temporal Lobectomy. Experiencing Pains Near Temples. Feel Numbness And Eyebrow Feels Heavy. Normal?

Posted on Tue, 24 Sep 2013

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Tue, 24 Sep 2013 Answered on

Sat, 19 Oct 2013 Last reviewed on

Question : Hi there I had a right temporal lobectomy in 2008 and for the last three months I have been experiencing pains near my temples like pressure pains and twitching in the neck I get really dizzy my right side of my face feels funny like a numbness and my eyebrow feels heavy but looks normal it...

Answered by Dr. Praveen K Nath (2 days later)

Brief Answer:
detailed below

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I have gone through your medical history in detail.
You had rt temporal lobectomy in 2008. I would like to know the actual reason for the same. Was it a benign lesion? What was the biopsy report?
Occasional feelings of pain at local craniotomy site, /dizziness/numbness over face can be due to craniotomy scar.
However, if these symptoms persist or increase, I would suggest

1. Get a repeat MRI BRAIN to see any lesion/local gliosis

2. Continue taking your medications, but sod. Valproate 100 mg at night is a very low dose. Ideally, it should be 300/500 mg twice daily in an adult. Please discuss about this with your treating doctor.

My best wishes for a speedy recovery. Let me know if you have more queries.

Thanks

dr XXXXXXX k XXXXXXX
Director
deptt. of neurosurgery

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E

Follow up: Dr. Praveen K Nath (8 hours later)

I had a cavernous malformation(abnormal blood vessels leaking blood on my brain)on the anterior frontal right lobe and I suffered from grand mal seizure's but I haven't had one for about 3 years. I lately have been getting these weird abdominal pains like toilet pains causing my left shoulder/neck to feel sore and I get really dizzy and then my hands and feet start getting clammy and usually the left side of my face gets funny sensations near the temple and my left eyebrow gets heavy and I get feelings like I want to throw up this usually will last for a good half an hour to an hour and then go away leaving me exhausted but still I don't fully recover ???

Answered by Dr. Praveen K Nath (16 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Further investigations needed

Detailed Answer:
Dear,
Operated cavernous malformation with right temporal lobectomy, developing occasional dizziness /funny sensations on left side of face / nausea etc. after five years may need further investigations.
I would suggest you to

1. Continue with your anticonvulsant medication, if you are taking.

2 take antiemetics /analgesics /anxiolytics for symptomatic relief

3. Get your MRI BRAIN +/_ MR ANGIOGRAPHY BRAIN to rule out any recurrence of malformation

4. Intra-arterial digital subtraction angiography may be needed if any recurrence is seen on MRI BRAIN

thanx
dr XXXXXXX k XXXXXXX

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E