I am curious how many people who have had MVD had a retromastoid bulge?
Its a bump behind the ear - around the plate that was put there.
I've read that because the bone was removed, the Dura membrane bulges out.
Thanks,
Smash
Hello
I have the same bump how be it very small
I haven’t noticed any difference.
My surgeon used an acrylic piece to replace my bone.
Have it looked at, could be nothing but always better to check it out !
Mimi
Yah, I went to the ER yesterday. They said it wasnt anything to worry about.
My NS will know more Im sure. Going to see him in a couple of days.
Smash
Oh that’s good smash! Glad you’re seeing your NS soon. Let me know what he says.
I didn't have a choice. My wife dragged me kicking and screaming to the ER ;-)
Mimi said:
Oh that's good smash! Glad you're seeing your NS soon. Let me know what he says.
Ha ha, I believe it! : ) smart wife!
I went to see my NS today. I had him look at the bump in my head.
His opinion is that it is a spinal fluid leak. He isn't worried as there is no external leaking. He said the body will just heal the leak, and absorb the fluids. Worst case scenario, I go into the hospital and get a spinal fluid drain. (YUCK)
If there is an external leak, we need to go back to the hospital.
He really wasn't concerned at all. I'll be seeing him again in a month.
That’s good news,just keep an eye out for external leaking!!
I’m sure he told you what to look out for.
Mimi
So here is the good / bad news.
What I have is called Pseudomeningocele. I have been trying to rest in hopes that it would go away, but it has not.
Now it looks like it is time for a second surgery. This time instead of using a synthetic material to repair the Dura they are planning to use part of a cow's heart. I asked if there was a chance my body would reject the cow's heart and was told that it is not likely, however there is a small chance of obtaining mad cow's desease!!!!! WHAT???
Anyhow this is where I sit and wait for the neurosurgeon to reserve an operating room. I'm going to have to take more time off work - Just Great....
Ah well I just hope this goes away. The low pressure headaches are enough to make me want to start taking some of my meds again.
I now also have a dull ache right where my GN pain used to be, it is not the same pain for sure, and not as bad on the pain scale. My NS doesnt know if the new pain is related to the pseudomeningocele or not.
Anyhow - hope you are all having a pain free day.
Smash
Hi Smash, geez that’s crazy! Is there nothing else they can use ? I posted a definition below as I had no idea what this was thought others might want to know as well…
Please keep us in the loop when you hear of when you’re having the procedure.
In the meantime, I’m sending positive thoughts!
Hope you start feeling better! (( hugs )) Mimi
Definition from Wikipedia;
A pseudomeningocele is an abnormal collection of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) that communicates with the CSF space around the brain or spinal cord. In contrast to a meningocele, in which the fluid is surrounded and confined by dura mater, in a pseudomeningocele, the fluid has no surrounding membrane but is contained in a cavity within the soft tissues.
Pseudomeningocele may result after brain surgery, spine surgery, or brachial plexus avulsion injury.
Treatment for pseudomeningocele is conservative or may involve neurosurgical repair.
Hi Smash, FYI, I have a bovine pericardium ( cow heart) dura patch from Chiari Decompression surgery that I had 10 years ago. I have not had any problems with it- no mad cow disease! Only problem is that once you have this type of graft, you cannot donate blood.
Hope the surgery is a success!
Christine
I still don't have a surgery date. The low pressure headaches are pretty bad today. Anytime I am upright my eyes feel "dark" and my head feels like it is in a vice.
Here is hoping your day is better than mine.
Smash
Smash, I’m so sorry your suffering with this, can someone call on your behalf and get you in sooner? Thinking of you…Mimi xx
OMG - so sorry!
that sounds like what i had, but i got a leak, a couple times ;-] i was dreading the surgery, but it was a breeze compared to the first one and the headaches ( that i had 24/7 for a month) were gone in 2 days. hope you have the same type of outcome!!
Mace, I am also dreading a second surgery. I had taken 10 weeks off work for my MVD, and now have no time left to take off from work. Thankfully I work for the government and Im sure something will be arranged.
My surgery is scheduled for Monday the 30th.
I am nervous and anxious.
I hope this is the last surgery, and that there are no complications.
Smash
Oh gosh Smash, so sorry you have to go through this again but I’m glad you’re getting it done in a week. Hope it is quick and clean and cleared in no time. Sorry you have to take time from work again. Yes, fingers crossed no complications. Try to invest your nervousness and anxiety into something you like to do around the house…is your car there to polish or something?
Keep Heart
Bellalarke
Hi Smash, glad you got a date for the surgery, and I hope all goes fantastically well. Did you decide to go with the bovine dura patch ?
My NS is making that decision. I believe it will be a bovine patch yes.
Im off all my medication as of Saturday, and am still feeling the withdrawal. I am looking forward to waking up after the surgery, but with no pain meds I fear it will be tough.