What Causes Pain And Gagging With Nasal Obstruction Inspite Of Having Cyst In Brain?

Posted on Fri, 11 Apr 2014

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

Fri, 11 Apr 2014 Answered on

Fri, 2 May 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : I recently had a follow up mri to check on a cyst in my brain. The cyst had not changed in size however the one they weren't worried about on maxillary sinus had grown so large it is covering my entire left side and blocking my nasal cavity. I have a dr apt with Ent this coming wed...however a bump that has been on the crease behind my ear (nonbothersome so i forgot to mention it to dr) has become enlarged and I have another one above it. My head has been in horrible pain, i felt sharp stabbing like pains in my veins (wht it felt like ..it wasnt my muscle and forearm isnt sore) then it quit, and tonite the pain is horrible in my teeth and have been gagging (vomitting) on chunks of dark green/brown mucous in the morning. Texture/look of raw chicken..best way i can describe it. Ive had head pressure and scaly scabs on scalp for about a year now. Im doing my best to make it through the days at work but am extremely tired/weak. Im trying to stick it out until wednesday but im feeling worse and worse. I am not sure if these are all symptoms of my cyst/mass on left maxillary sinus (they said it would need biopsied by ENT for cancer..also have an apt with neurologist in may....or if I have something else going on.I hate emergency rooms but I am in a lot of pain even with the pain meds ive been prescribed. I have had the 1st lump behind my ear for a couple months. Its hard but not sore to touch and moves a little. If i press on it pressure on under my eyes/nose kinda changes like in an airplane with ears. My spine in top middle of my back is extremely sore also. Would these be just symtoms of my maxillary sinus mass/cyst or something unrelated that i should go to ER for? Not sure what to do.,

Answered by Dr. Vivek Chail (1 hour later)

Brief Answer: Please find detailed answer below Detailed Answer: Hi XXXXX, Thanks for writing in to us. I have read through your query in detail. The cyst in brain may not cause you the problems as there is no change in size. As you have guessed, the enlarging cyst in maxillary region can cause the symptoms you are having including pain and gagging with nasal obstruction. Now a cyst usually defines a fluid containing abnormal balloon like structure. What I am not sure about in your case is that is the cyst really just a cyst or whether it is a tumor mass. This will be known in detail only if you can get a scanned copy of your report and attach it to your query. I feel the cyst is not a cyst after all and might need further clinical work up which will be done by your ENT surgeon. Addressing your present pain I suggest you ask your doctor and take stronger pain relief medications as you cannot remain in pain till Wednesday. There might be a nerve that is pinched and it is causing severe pain. Regarding the other lumps, they should not be ignored and we must also look for any other small swellings in your neck region. Waiting for updates from you. Hope your query is answered. Do write back if you have any doubts. Regards, Dr.Vivek

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar