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Worried about swelling after meningioma removal
I am four months post meningioma removal anterior fossa, approach was craniotomy right side behind hairline. I recently had an onset of swelling like a golf ball size adjacent to surgical site temple/forehead/eye area which shows on CT as soft tissue swelling, no intracranial abnormality. Surgeon is having me get an early MRI, blood work and follow up. He does not seem to be concerned with anything other than an infection. I’m pretty freaked out as it’s not going down. No neurological symptoms like you would get with a CSF leak. Praying the MRI does not show any concerns, but in the meantime, why do I have this, how long will I have it and has anyone had experience with this? You think you’ve had a successful surgery, with complete removal of a benign 🙏tumor, and then something new pops up to stress you out all over again. Thanks for listening! 🫶🏼
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I completely understand your concern. I go next Wednesday for 6 month evaluation. I hope and pray it hasn't grown.
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2 ReactionsThere is a young boy, Junior in high school and family friend, that is going through something similar at St. Louis Children's Hospital. The tumor involving his pituitary gland was more serious. After surgery, half his head, including face was swollen and he was very ill. They checked for infection and drained fluid, but claimed it was under the hair cap? Now they are planning to put a shunt in at the site.
In 2008 at SSM Health St. Joseph Hospital in Lake St. Louis, MO, I never had any of this after my brain surgery to remove a rather large meningioma that was pressing on my right brain.
@burkerj001, I'm glad that the tumor was benign and also that the surgeon is investigating the swelling. Did you have the MRI? What did you find out? Has the swelling gone?
@colleenyoung Had a visit with MRI and blood work last week Tuesday. Scan showed increased fluid plus a brighter “outline” which prompted an aspiration. Fluid looked obviously infectious! I was direct admit with surgery 2 days later. Craniotomy #2 for a wound washout plus removal of bone flap and plate. Staphylococcus Epidermidis was final pathology and I came home yesterday with a PICC line for 6 wks IV Vanco every 12 hours. I will then have surgery #3 to put in new hardware ☹️ and I pray to God this will finally be behind me. ALWAYS trust your gut instincts when it comes to your health. I knew I didn’t feel right and that something needed to be done.
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5 Reactions@doyel Hi, how did the MRI turn out?? 🙏
@susanf60s Yes! This was also strictly under my scalp, but shunt not required. Oh my, please post an update and I’ll pray for him and you! I worry about regrowth as well.
@burkerj001 I am so sorry you have a surgical site infection. You are in my thoughts. Yes, trust your gut!!
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1 ReactionWishing you the best recovery....
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1 Reaction@burkerj001: So sorry you are going through this ordeal. Somehow you just have to find the fortitude to push through and come out healed on the other side. You're early into all you have to go through so hang in there.