Brain Tumor
- A brain tumor is an abnormal growth of cells in or around your brain. It occurs when a group of cells within the brain turn cancerous and grow out of control, creating a mass
- Common symptoms in a brain tumor patient can be:
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- Headache
- Seizure
- Visual problems
- Cognition problems
- Speech problem
- Vomiting/Nausea
- Hearing loss
- Brain tumor is a serious condition and it needs earliest medical attention where detailed clinical assessment and relevant investigations are done prior to treatment.
Pituitary Tumor (Pituitary Adenoma)
- A pituitary tumor is an abnormal growth in the pituitary gland of the brain. These tumors are noncancerous, but they can interfere with normal pituitary function and cause certain health conditions. Common symptoms in pituitary tumor patient can be.
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- Headache
- Visual problems
- Hormonal problems like abnormally enlarged facial feature, menstrual problems in women and infertility
- There is high risk of complete vision loss in pituitary tumors if not treated timely.
- Investigations include MRI of the brain, checking hormones level and examination of vision.
Hydrocephalus
- Hydrocephalus is a condition where there's an abnormal buildup of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) within the brain's ventricles.
- CSF is a clear fluid that circulates within the brain in a fixed quantity. Any alteration with the CSF flow or quantity can lead to hydrocephalus.
- Common symptoms in hydrocephalus can be
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- Headache
- Visual problem
- Vomiting
- Drowsiness or unconscious
- Common causes of hydrocephalus are congenital, meningitis, tuberculous meningitis, brain tumor, head injury.
- Hydrocephalus can occur in any age group and it can be a serious emergency condition depending on the severity and symptoms.
Spina Bifida
- Spina bifida is a congenital (birth) defect of the spine in which part of the spinal cord and its coverings (meninges) are exposed through a gap in the backbone, often causing paralysis of the lower limbs.
- Common symptoms in spina bifida patient can be:
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- Swelling (mass) at the back of child
- Hairy patch at the back of child
- Weakness (paralysis) of legs
- Other terms for spina bifida are Myelomeningocele, Meningocele, Spina Bifida Occulta.
- There is a high risk of hydrocephalus in a child with spina bifida.
Spinal Tumors
- A spinal tumor is an abnormal growth of cells in or around the spinal cord and/or spinal column. It occurs when a group of cells within or around the spinal cord turn cancerous and grow out of control, creating a mass.
- Common symptoms in a spinal tumor patient can be.
-
- Backache or Neck pain
- Weakness/paralysis of leg(s), arm(s) or both
- Problem with urinary (bladder) control
- Spinal tumor is a serious condition and it needs earliest medical attention where detailed clinical assessment and relevant investigations are done prior to treatment.
Spinal Disc Prolapse/Herniation
- A prolapsed or herniated disc occurs when a soft cushion of tissue (intervertebral disc) between the bones (vertebra) in your spine bulges outwards and causes pressure (compression) on the nerve roots
- Common symptoms in disc prolapse can be:
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- Backache or Neck pain
- Leg(s) or arm(s) pain
- Numbness in leg(s) or arm(s)
- Weakness/paralysis of leg(s), arm(s) or both
- Problem with urinary (bladder) control
- Common terms used for spinal disc prolapse are disc herniation, disc bulge, slipped disc, sciatica.
Spinal Fracture
- A spinal fracture, also known as a fractured spine or vertebral fracture, is a break in one or more of the bones (vertebrae) that make up the spinal column.
- Common symptoms in spinal fracture can be.
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- Backache or Neck pain
- Weakness/paralysis of leg(s), arm(s) or both
- Problem with urinary (bladder) control
- Kyphosis or hunched back
- Spinal fracture can happen due to Trauma (accident or fall), infection (like tuberculosis) or Tumor (metastasis).
Spinal Stenosis
- Spinal stenosis is an abnormal narrowing of the spinal canal or neural foramen that results in pressure on the spinal cord or nerve roots.
- This condition is similar to disc prolapse with a few differences like stenosis occurs in older patients and creates problems with walking.
- Common symptoms in spinal stenosis can be:
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- Backache or Neck pain
- Leg(s) or arm(s) pain
- Difficulty in walking making patient sit after a few steps
- Numbness in leg(s) or arm(s)
- Weakness/paralysis of leg(s), arm(s) or both
- Problem with urinary (bladder) control
- Early intervention has very good results in spinal stenosis.
Chiari Malformation
- A Chiari malformation is a structural abnormality in the skull that causes part of the brain pushed into the spinal canal causing pressure (compression) at the junction of head and neck.
- Common symptoms in spinal stenosis can be.
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- Neck pain or headache
- Weakness/paralysis of the arm(s), leg(s) or both
- Numbness or tingling in the arm(s), leg(s) or both
- Vertigo or dizziness
- Problem with the gait during walking
- Chiari malformation usually presents in the young patients and needs earliest medical attention to prevent permanent paralysis.
Trigeminal Neuralgia
- Trigeminal neuralgia, also called tic douloureux, is a condition that causes intense pain similar to an electric shock on one or both sides of the face.
- Pain can be triggered by eating, chewing, drinking, shaving, washing the face, or even wind.
- While in some cases the exact cause is often unknown (idiopathic)
- Trigeminal neuralgia can be caused by compression of the trigeminal nerve, often by a blood vessel. Other causes include tumors, multiple sclerosis, or other nerve-related issues.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a condition where the median nerve, which runs from the forearm into the hand, gets compressed at the wrist.
- The carpal tunnel is a narrow passageway on the palm side of your wrist, formed by bones and ligaments.
- Common symptoms in spinal stenosis can be.
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- Numbness, tingling, or burning sensations in the thumb, index, middle, and ring fingers
- Pain in the wrist, hand, or even up the forearm
- Weakness in the hand, making it difficult to grip or perform fine motor tasks
- Dropping things due to weakness or numbness
- Certain medical conditions (like diabetes, thyroid or rheumatoid arthritis), and pregnancy can increase the risk of developing carpal tunnel syndrome.
Brain Abscess
- A brain abscess is a localized collection of pus and dead tissues within the brain tissue, caused by an infection. It's a serious and potentially life-threatening condition that requires urgent medical treatment
- Common symptoms in brain abscess can be:
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- Headache (persistent and severe)
- Fever
- Nausea and vomiting
- Neurological deficits (e.g., weakness, confusion, seizures)
- Altered mental status
- Neck stiffness (sometimes)
- Source of infection can be ear or dental infections, head trauma, blood stream in immunocompromised patients and previous neurosurgical procedure.
Dandy-Walker Malformation
- Dandy-Walker malformation is a rare congenital brain malformation involving the cerebellum (the part of the brain that controls movement and coordination) and the fluid-filled spaces around it. The cerebellum is under-developed and the space is replaced with the fluid.
- Common symptoms in Dandy-Walker malformation can be
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- Enlarged head (from hydrocephalus)
- Vomiting
- Seizures
- Developmental delays
- Problems with balance and coordination
- These children are likely to have developmental, physical, neurological and speech problems.
Arachnoid Cyst
- A cerebral arachnoid cyst is a fluid-filled sac that forms in the arachnoid membrane, one of the three layers that cover the brain and spinal cord. These cysts are typically filled with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and are usually benign (non-cancerous). These can be located in brain and spine.
- Most of the arachnoid cysts cause no symptoms and are found incidentally on imaging. However, larger cysts or those that press on brain structures may cause:
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- Headache
- Nausea and vomiting
- Seizures
- Weakness or problems with coordination
- Visual problems or blurring
Scoliosis
- Scoliosis is a medical condition in which a person's spine curves sideways in an abnormal "S" or "C" shape when viewed from the back. It can affect people of any age but is most commonly diagnosed in children and adolescents during growth spurts.
- Common types of scoliosis are:
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- Idiopathic (most common, usually in adolescence, cause unknown)
- Congenital (present at birth)
- Degenerative (presents in adult due to degenerative or osteoporosis)
- Symptoms depends on severity of scoliosis. There can be No symptoms, Uneven shoulders or hips, One shoulder blade more prominent than the other, Uneven waist, back pain, breathing problems (due to ribcage deformity).
- Scoliosis can be classified with the Cobb’s Angle: Mild (< 20degree), Moderate (20-40degree), Severe (> 40-50degree).
Torticollis
- Torticollis (also known as "wry neck") is a condition in which the neck muscles contract involuntarily, causing the head to twist or tilt to one side.
- Types of torticollis can be. However, larger cysts or those that press on brain structures may cause:
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- Congenital (due to tightening or shortening of neck muscles)
- Acquired (due to Injury, Infection or some neurological conditions)
- Spasmodic (due to severe muscle contractions)
- Common symptoms in torticollis are Head tilt to one side, Chin rotated to the opposite side, Neck stiffness or pain and Limited range of motion in the neck.
Head Trauma (Traumatic Brain Injury)
- Head Trauma, also called Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), is an injury to the brain caused by an external force such as a blow, jolt, or penetrating object. It ranges from mild (like a concussion) to severe (causing permanent brain damage or death).
- Common symptoms in head trauma can be:
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- Headache
- Dizziness
- Nausea or vomiting
- Confusion or agitation
- Temporary loss of consciousness, Prolonged unconsciousness or coma
- Memory problems, Speech Problems
- Seizures
- Blood or Clear fluid leaking from nose or ears
- Weakness or numbness in limbs
- Urgent medical care in accident and emergency department and then neurosurgical opinion should be sought
Cerebral Aneurysm
- A cerebral aneurysm (also called a brain aneurysm) is a localized dilation or ballooning of a part of blood vessel in the brain due to a weakness in the vessel wall. Over time, the pressure of blood flow can cause the weakened area to balloon outward — similar to a bubble or blister.
- Common risk factors for aneurysm can be Congenital weakness of vessel wall(present at birth), High blood pressure, Smoking, Head injury, Infection, Family history, Connective tissue disorders (e.g., Ehlers-Danlos, Marfan syndrome).
- Common symptoms of cerebral aneurysm (unruptured)can be:
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- Headaches
- Blurred or double vision
- Eye pain or drooping eyelid
- Numbness or weakness on one side of the face
- Rupture of an aneurysm is a medical emergency and causes Sudden, severe headache (“worst headache of my life”), Nausea and vomiting, Stiff neck, Seizures, Loss of consciousness.
Cerebral AVM (Arteriovenous Malformation)
- A cerebral AVM (Arteriovenous Malformation) is a tangle of abnormal blood vessels connecting arteries and veins in the brain. It disrupts the normal flow of blood and oxygen to surrounding brain tissue.
- AVMs may be asymptomatic until they bleed, but possible symptoms can be:
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- Headache
- Seizures
- Neurological problems (e.g., weakness, numbness, vision loss)
- Difficulty speaking
- Unsteadiness
- Confusion
- Rupture of an AVM is a medical emergency and causes Sudden and severe headache, Loss of consciousness, Nausea and vomiting, Seizures, Weakness or numbness, visual problems.
Tethered Cord Syndrome (TCS)
- Tethered Cord Syndrome (TCS) is a neurological disorder in which the spinal cord is abnormally attached (or "tethered") to surrounding tissues, limiting its movement. This causes the spinal cord to stretch as a person grows or moves, potentially leading to nerve damage.
- Common symptoms in head trauma can be:
-
- Back pain
- Leg weakness or numbness
- Abnormal gait or trouble walking
- Foot deformities (e.g., high arches, clubfoot)
- Urinary incontinence or frequent UTIs
- Common causes of TCS are Spina bifida (especially myelomeningocele), Lipomas or fatty mass in the spine, Diastematomyelia (split spinal cord), Scar tissue after spinal surgery especially spina bifida surgery.
Craniosynostosis
- Craniosynostosis is a birth defect in which one or more of the bones in a baby’s skull close too early, before the brain has fully developed. This early fusion prevents the skull from growing normally, which can lead to an abnormally shaped head, and in some cases, increased pressure on the brain.
- Common symptoms of craniosynostosis can be:
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- Abnormally shaped skull
- Asymmetrical face
- Slow or no head growth
- Vomiting, irritability, developmental delays, eyes bulging out (in severe cases)
- Common types of craniosynostosis are Sagittal(long narrow boat-shaped head), Coronal(prominent flat forehead), Metopic(pointed forehead), Lambdoid(flat posterior part of head on one side).
Encephalocele
- Encephalocele is a rare birth defect in which part of the brain tissue and its surrounding membranes (meninges) protrude outside the skull through an opening. This happens due to improper closure of the neural tube during early fetal development (usually by the 4th week of pregnancy).
- Common symptoms of encephalocele can be:
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- Visible sac or mass on the head (may pulsate)
- Hydrocephalus (fluid buildup in the brain)
- Developmental delays
- Seizures
- Poor muscle tone or weakness
- Feeding or breathing difficulties
- Common locations of encephalocele coming out of skull are Occipital (back of head), Frontal (Forehead or base of the nose).
- Risk factors for developing encephalocele are Folic acid deficiency in early pregnancy or Genetic problems.