Question 1

i have a vertebral artery dolichoectasia compressing my brainstem.  search my vids on youtube typing "engelman brainstem compression". what d u think?

Accepted Answer

Vertebral artery: Compression of the brain stem by a vertebral artery can cause many neurological signs based on the location of the compressed brain and the exiting cranial nerves. A cerebrovascular surgeon can determine whether the vertebral artery is causing symptoms and develop a treatment plan.

Question 2

is a coma due to brainstem compression from a benign tumor guaranteed to be permanent? or can the person wake up it its removed and there's no damage?

Accepted Answer

No good answer: I assume this patient had a cerebellarpontine angle tumor that was removed?  The recovery from tumor such as these and other tumors that compress on the brainstem can be prolonged, there's no good answer and I would not give up hope

Question 3

my dominant left vertebral artery 'abutes' my brainstem without compression. my right vertebral artery is hypoplastic terminating in pica. 10+ radiologists say this is common variation & neurologists say shouldn't cause symptoms. true?

Accepted Answer

: It is not feasible to provide a more meaningful opinion, in this forum, than that provided by neurologists who examined you and your imaging studies. 
For healthy diet: http://www.choosemyplate.gov/., exercise 30 minutes/day, drink enough water daily so your urine is mostly colorless, have safe sex, no tobacco alcohol weed or street drugs.

Question 4

what does brain stem compression mean?

Accepted Answer

Bad news: Means something is pushing on the brainstem.  Because it controls breathing and other basic body functions, brainstem compression is very bad news, especially if it is rapid.

Question 5

scan  at 32 wk shows arachnoid cyst  6.5 * 2.5 cm in brain.on follow up scan at 34 weeks its size is 7.5* 2.8cm with slight compression.what to do?

Accepted Answer

Need more info: Fetal or newborn?  What is happening with head size?  Ventricle size?  Rest of body systems?  Why was initial ultrasound done?  What has changed clinically?

Question 6

if hyper pots is caused by chiari malformation would bp meds help at all? or will it only work against the issue bc of the brain compression?

Accepted Answer

: Unfortunately, the Chiari I malformation and orthostatic intolerance connection is almost entirely unsupported by peer-reviewed literature. 
Hyper POTS can be managed with some types of BP medications such as beta blockers or alpha 2 agonist.

Question 7

how accurate are ct contrast in measuring size of arachnoid cyst / identifying compression of it on the brain?

Accepted Answer

Acceptable: The CAT scan can demonstrate the presence and general effect of such a cyst, but the MRI would be preferable due to superior resolution, and precision.

Question 8

is it possible for a 10 mm thick arachnoid cyst to be compressing the brain in the "left paretal frontal lobe region" how can a cyst be measured 18 * 30 mm (mri) one year ago and no compression vs. 10 mm ct now with compression. technique is mri bett?

Accepted Answer

Parietal lobe cyst ?: A "parietal lobe arachnoid cyst" measured at "10 mm thick" by CT can reflect lateral mass growth which can cause brain compression due to continued growth b/c of the limited volume of the skull for such growth to occur.  The MRI at a year prior may measure the cyst at a point when lateral growth, not "thickness" , was not at that point  increased.  Consult the neurologist for questions.

Question 9

tingling lower calves both? septicemia? brain?

Accepted Answer

: Observe that symptom, see your doctor if symptom persists for more than 24 hours and/or more symptoms occurred. At times, our body has symptom without a definite etiology but it's short-lived. Do not think of the worse scenario such as septicemia or neurological disease.

Question 10

bleeding at lower brain stem?

Accepted Answer

Bad event: Brain stem hemorrhage is not great, as relatively small area with critical nerves and connections.  Hard to control once started, and often pts left with chronic disability.  I know this is not good news, but hopefully careful inpatient medical care will lead to survival and rehabilitation measures to restoration.

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Doctor answers about:

Compression of the lower brainstem

A member asked:

I have a vertebral artery dolichoectasia compressing my brainstem. search my vids on youtube typing "engelman brainstem compression". what d u think?

A member asked:

Is a coma due to brainstem compression from a benign tumor guaranteed to be permanent? or can the person wake up it its removed and there's no damage?

A member asked:

My dominant left vertebral artery 'abutes' my brainstem without compression. my right vertebral artery is hypoplastic terminating in pica. 10+ radiologists say this is common variation & neurologists say shouldn't cause symptoms. true?

A member asked:

What does brain stem compression mean?

A member asked:

Scan at 32 wk shows arachnoid cyst 6.5 * 2.5 cm in brain.on follow up scan at 34 weeks its size is 7.5* 2.8cm with slight compression.what to do?

A member asked:

If hyper pots is caused by chiari malformation would bp meds help at all? or will it only work against the issue bc of the brain compression?

A member asked:

How accurate are ct contrast in measuring size of arachnoid cyst / identifying compression of it on the brain?

A member asked:

Is it possible for a 10 mm thick arachnoid cyst to be compressing the brain in the "left paretal frontal lobe region" how can a cyst be measured 18 * 30 mm (mri) one year ago and no compression vs. 10 mm ct now with compression. technique is mri bett?

A member asked:

Tingling lower calves both? septicemia? brain?

A member asked:

Bleeding at lower brain stem?

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