The Different Phantom Smells that a Brain Tumor Can Cause
Smelling something that isn’t there (phantosmia) can be caused by a brain tumor.
There are different kinds of odors that a person may smell as a result of a brain tumor.
When a person begins smelling something that doesn’t exist (and it may take a while for them to realize this), they usually assume it’s a problem with their nose.
And in fact, it could very well be a sinus related issue, such as a polyp in the nasal cavity.
However, when one smells something that doesn’t exist – an imaginary odor (phantosmia) – this can have a far more serious cause.
A Mass in the Brain
Image of a brain tumor. Credit: Christaras A
“Brain tumors may cause phantosmia,” says Sumeer Sathi, MD, a neurosurgeon and founding member of Long Island Neuroscience Specialists, who treats brain tumors.
“Phantosmia is also known as an olfactory hallucination – someone smells something that is not there.
“Brain tumors can directly cause this by injuring any structures involved with the olfactory system.”
The olfactory system consists of the smell receptors or nerve cells in the nasal cavity.
In addition, there’s the olfactory bulb, which is at the base of the brain.
In the brain is the olfactory cortex which interprets signals coming from the bulb and nasal neurons.
It’s easy to see that a cancerous mass that encroaches upon any point of this system can alter how an odor is processed.
“Alternately, brain tumors can also indirectly cause phantosmia by leading to possible seizures and strokes,” says Dr. Sathi.
What kind of phantom odors can a brain tumor cause?
Dr. Sathi explains, “People often report that the odor is unpleasant, such as burning, rotten or moldy smells.”
The burning may seem like that of tobacco smoke or rubber.
“However, symptoms are subjective and can vary from person to person,” adds Dr. Sathi.
This means it’s possible for the phantom smell not to be all that bad. But don’t let that fool you.
At the same time, try to keep things in perspective. The vast majority of phantosmia cases are NOT a brain tumor.
The seemingly imagined odor may also be real – if you look hard enough for it.
For example, the scent of your neighbor’s strong solid air freshener may actually be making its way into your unit via a shared venting system.
The mysterious cigarette smoke that you sometimes smell may be actual smoke coming through an open window as a neighbor walks by outside with his cigarette. But there may also be a medical cause.
Dr. Sathi’s expertise includes spine surgery and treating brain tumors including metastasis, gliomas, meningiomas and acoustic neuromas using gamma knife radiosurgery. Long Island Neuroscience Specialists is a multidisciplinary group of neuro-spine surgeons and an interventional pain management anesthesiologist.
Lorra Garrick has been covering medical, fitness and cybersecurity topics for many years, having written thousands of articles for print magazines and websites, including as a ghostwriter. She is also a former ACE certified personal trainer.
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Top image credit: Freepik.com, karlyukav
Can MRI Wrongly Show High Grade Glioma that’s Really Low Grade?
Did your MRI show a high grade glioma? Could it possibly be low grade?
How accurate is the MRI at telling a high grade from a low grade brain tumor?
A glioma type of brain tumor develops from astrocytes, which are star shaped (hence the prefix “astro”) glial cells that support nerve cells.
When the glial cells or astrocytes grow out of control (cancer), the mass is called an astrocytoma.
It may also be called a glioma.
A high grade glioma is aggressive, growing faster than does a low grade.
The way a brain tumor appears on an MRI – along with its location in the brain – can be very telling as to what kind of tumor it is.
High Grade Glioma vs. Low Grade on MRI
“An MRI can provide useful information to help diagnose types of brain tumors,” says Sumeer Sathi, MD, a neurosurgeon and founding member of Long Island Neuroscience Specialists who treats brain tumors.
“What is shown on the MRI can closely resemble one type of brain tissue, and it can turn out to be a different type.
“The only definitive diagnosis can be made through obtaining a biopsy (brain tumor specimen) and sending it for pathology.”
Dr. Sathi’s expertise includes spine surgery and treating brain tumors including metastasis, gliomas, meningiomas and acoustic neuromas using gamma knife radiosurgery. Long Island Neuroscience Specialists is a multidisciplinary group of neuro-spine surgeons and an interventional pain management anesthesiologist.
Lorra Garrick has been covering medical, fitness and cybersecurity topics for many years, having written thousands of articles for print magazines and websites, including as a ghostwriter. She’s also a former ACE-certified personal trainer.
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Top image: Hellerhoff
Do Brain Tumors Grow Back or Were They Never All Removed?
Two of the most frightening words anyone can hear is, “It’s back.”
This refers to a brain tumor that’s returned after having been surgically removed.
Other treatment would have involved targeted radiation, in which a beam is directed straight at the tumor to shrink it.
Stereotactic radiosurgery does not mechanically remove a brain tumor.
Instead, it damages the DNA of the cancerous cells, impairing their ability to reproduce. This shrinks the mass.
In some cases, the brain tumor is benign, but still poses a major threat to surrounding tissue.
Some brain tumors, however, are considered operable.
When a Brain Tumor Grows Back After Conventional Surgery
“Some brain tumors may be treated with surgical resection,” says Sumeer Sathi, MD, a neurosurgeon and founding member of Long Island Neuroscience Specialists who treats brain tumors.
“The goal with surgical resection is to remove as much tumor as possible without injuring normal/eloquent areas of the brain.
“Different brain tumors may recur or ‘grow back.’ These tumors are considered to be more aggressive or malignant.
“Some cancers may have already been seeded (spread) to other areas of the brain and not yet detected on imaging.
“They may be detected on follow-up imaging (surveillance).”
We do not yet have the technology to detect micro-metastases elsewhere in the body or even within local range of the cancer.
So when a brain tumor “comes back” or “grows back,” this may simply be leftover and undetected malignant cells having a chance to proliferate to a mass big enough that is eventually seen on a follow-up image.
There may not be symptoms at this point. However, in other cases, the “new” mass may start causing symptoms before a scheduled surveillance imaging.
In the case of a benign tumor, if it grows back, that’s because a tiny portion was left behind.
This portion may not have been detected. In other cases, it may have been seen by the surgeon, but intentionally left in place, due to the danger of removing it.
A new mass may also be located far from where the primary malignant tumor was located – having already been seeded there at the time of the original diagnosis but – as mentioned – under the radar of current detection technology.
“Other treatment options may be recommended to help prevent this from happening such as chemotherapy or radiation treatment,” says Dr. Sathi.
Dr. Sathi’s expertise includes spine surgery and treating brain tumors including metastasis, gliomas, meningiomas and acoustic neuromas using gamma knife radiosurgery. Long Island Neuroscience Specialists is a multidisciplinary group of neuro-spine surgeons and an interventional pain management anesthesiologist.
Lorra Garrick has been covering medical, fitness and cybersecurity topics for many years, having written thousands of articles for print magazines and websites, including as a ghostwriter. She’s also a former ACE-certified personal trainer.
Can a Brain Tumor Cause Your Head to Suddenly Feel Heavy?
You’re going about your day when suddenly your head feels heavy.
It doesn’t last long and then you feel perfectly normal. Could a brain tumor be the cause?
“Brain tumor symptoms can vary greatly,” points out Sumeer Sathi, MD, a neurosurgeon and founding member of Long Island Neuroscience Specialists who treats brain tumors.
“People with brain tumors can describe symptoms differently,” continues Dr. Sathi.
“Some people report a feeling of ‘heaviness’ in their head.”
A sudden or gradual feeling of heaviness in the head, however, is most likely NOT a brain tumor.
It may have no known cause, and it may just be something that a person has to put up with.
But if it recurs on a regular and especially frequent basis, the heaviness can have a variety of causes.
Even if it’s very occasional, a physician may be able to figure out what’s behind it.
Heavy Feeling in Your Head: Possible Causes Other than a Brain Tumor
BPPV: benign paroxysmal positional vertigo. The sudden sensation would come immediately after turning or moving your head, sitting up or lying down – hence the condition’s name.
However, the sufferer would very likely also experience a sensation of the room moving, even very slightly. The symptom ceases when one’s head becomes still.
This condition may come with nausea, and being off-balance when walking, and in severe cases, vomiting.
Treatment is the Epley maneuver.
TIA: transient ischemic attack. If the sudden heaviness in your head is frequent, it’s very likely not a TIA. In fact, overall, it’s very likely not one of these temporary or mini strokes.
A feeling of heaviness from a TIA usually affects one side of the body or a single whole limb, rather than something that’s just limited to the head.
Sinus infection or sinusitis. The heaviness or pressure in the head would likely be felt when one bends over, such as to pick something up from the floor, or when they lie down.
There may be a headache already present, and there wouldn’t necessarily be a runny or stuffy nose.
Drop in blood pressure. This can cause a sensation of heaviness in the head, but it would also be accompanied by a faint or dizzy feeling that makes you want to pause in your tracks as the room seems to fade out.
Head cold. This is a cold or “bug” that affects the head, but the symptom does not come on suddenly; it’s gradual, and gradually goes away as the body fights off the infection.
You may also go to bed feeling normal and then awaken with a “funny feeling” in your head due to one of these colds.
If you have continued episodes of a sudden (or gradual onset) heavy feeling in your head – see your physician. There may be a cause other than the ones listed above.
“Any symptoms with sudden onset or that are progressively worsening should be taken seriously and evaluated,” says Dr. Sathi.
Nevertheless, a brain tumor as a possible cause will be at the bottom of the suspect list.
Dr. Sathi’s expertise includes spine surgery and treating brain tumors including metastasis, gliomas, meningiomas and acoustic neuromas using gamma knife radiosurgery. Long Island Neuroscience Specialists is a multidisciplinary group of neuro-spine surgeons and an interventional pain management anesthesiologist.
Lorra Garrick has been covering medical, fitness and cybersecurity topics for many years, having written thousands of articles for print magazines and websites, including as a ghostwriter. She’s also a former ACE-certified personal trainer.
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18 Causes of Foot Drop Including Benign and Serious like ALS
There are 11 benign causes of foot drop, but there are also more serious conditions including five that can kill you.
If you’ve been noticing what seems to be foot drop in one of your feet, you may have then subsequently learned that the deadly ALS causes this symptom.
You may then be wondering: If it’s not ALS, can it be another life threatening or very serious neurological disease?
Maybe you’re also wondering if any benign conditions can cause foot drop.
If your anxiety is bad enough, then every stubbed toe, difficulty getting on a shoe, foot slipping off the pedal of a stationary bike or in your car – every little nuance in your foot will mean foot drop.
Nevertheless, there are numerous causes for foot drop other than ALS.
Some can kill you, while others are easily remedied, while still others will be chronic but not life threatening.
The Peroneal Nerve
“The common peroneal (sometimes called fibular) nerve courses around the neck of the fibula bone,” says Dr. David Beatty, MD, a retired general practitioner with 30+ years of experience and an instructor of general medicine for 20 years.
“This is the prominent bit of bone on the outside of the leg just below the knee.
“This nerve supplies the muscles of the front and outside of the lower leg which are responsible for moving the foot upwards (dorsiflexion).”
The foot is moved upward when you walk, trim your toenails and switch pedals when driving.
In foot drop, dorsiflexion is impaired or not possible.
Benign Causes of Foot Drop
In these cases, “benign” means that the condition won’t shorten your life, won’t lead to a motor neuron disease and may even resolve quite easily. However, a few of these canditions can be very painful.
Leg crossing if habitual. “Pressure on the nerve from persistently crossing the legs can cause a temporary foot drop,” says Dr. Beatty.
Yoga. Pressure from various positions (namely prolonged sitting on the heels) can irritate the peroneal nerve.
Bungee jumping. Pressure from the cord can cause peroneal nerve palsy.
Weight loss: significant. The rapid reduction of the fatty protective cushion around the peroneal nerve can cause palsy.
Knee dislocation. “The most common type is when the kneecap is displaced laterally towards the outside of the knee,” says Dr. Beatty.
“It’s usually associated with swelling and inflammation that can put pressure on the common peroneal nerve.
“More serious dislocations at the articulations of the femur, tibia and fibula are more likely to be more damaging to the nerve.”
Sciatica or lumbar disc herniation. “This can cause pressure on the sciatic nerve,” says Dr. Beatty. “This nerve divides into the common peroneal nerve and the tibial nerve near the knee.”
Herniated disc. Myupchar. com
Chronic exertional compartment syndrome. The acute version can cause permanent muscle damage, but chronic cases are more easily resolved. CECS is caused by exercise and affects muscles and may impair peroneal nerve function.
Spinal stenosis. This is a narrowing of the spinal canal. There is no cure, is progressive, but sufferers may live into their 90s. Some cases are treated with surgical decompression.
Lumbar synovial cyst. “Like a disc herniation this can put pressure on the sciatic nerve,” says Dr. Beatty.
Pelvic hydatid cyst. “This rare condition causes a cystic swelling arising in the bone of the pelvis,” says Dr. Beatty. “If this swelling presses on the sciatic nerve it may cause foot drop.”
Anterior tibialis tendon rupture. The anterior tibialis is the main muscle in the front of the lower leg, responsible for dorsiflexion.
Potentially Deadly Causes of Foot Drop other than ALS
Diabetes. Dr. Beatty explains, “Diabetes can cause neuropathy when one or more nerves are damaged. If the common peroneal nerve is affected the person may not be able to lift the foot upwards.”
Meningioma. A benign tumor of the meninges, it can encroach upon the brain and for that reason is considered a brain tumor.
DVT. “With a blood clot in the deep veins of the leg, there is usually swelling below the level of the clot,” says Dr. Beatty.
“This swelling may compress either the sciatic or common peroneal nerves, affecting foot dorsiflexion. It’s often painful behind the knee when the foot is dorsiflexed if a DVT is present (Homan’s sign).”
A DVT can break off, travel to the lungs and be fatal.
Stroke. Some strokes are very small, but having a small stroke means you’re at high risk for a future massive stroke without medical management.
Foot drop from stroke is extremely rare, but when it happens, it’s sudden.
Lymphoma (type of cancer) of the sciatic nerve; is extremely rare.
Brain tumor metastasis from a distant primary site such as the lungs
Neurofibromatosis. A genetic disorder, usually diagnosed in childhood, that a person may not know they have until they’re a young adult and symptoms are bothersome enough to seek medical evaluation. Benign tumors form on nerve tissue.
Dr. Beatty adds, “I know of one person who was left with a foot drop after suffering from polio.
“This emphasizes the importance of vaccinating against a disease we rarely see in the Western world.”
Dr. Beatty has worked in primary medicine, surgery, accident and emergency, OBGYN, pediatrics and chronic disease management. He is the Doctor of Medicine for Strong Home Gym.
Lorra Garrick has been covering medical, fitness and cybersecurity topics for many years, having written thousands of articles for print magazines and websites, including as a ghostwriter. She’s also a former ACE-certified personal trainer.
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Top image: Shutterstock/Seasontime
Sources
• journals.lww.com/cjsportsmed/Citation/2009/05000/
Foot_Drop_An_Unusual_Presentation_of_Exertional.8.aspxjournals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/
10.1177/0883073813479172ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4217064/
• link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00701-009-0339-9
• link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-0-387-49289-6_24
• link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11695-007-9203-2
• tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10790268.2007.11753915
A_Case_of_Foot_Drop_as_an_Expression_of_Brain.9.aspx
• ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3062807/
• n.neurology.org/content/68/22/1949.short
• onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/(SICI)1098-108X(199711)22:3%3C335::AID-EAT14%3E3.0.CO;2-X
• ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1014585/
• deepdyve.com/lp/wolters_kluwer/a-case-of-foot-drop-as-an-expression-of-brain-metastases-vJYqddmtyi There are many causes of foot drop besides als.
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