How is a brain tumor diagnosed?
Howis a brain tumor diagnosed?
Braintumor diagnosis is based on the clinical history and medical examination of theneurological status. The physical examination includes a detailed neurologicalexamination. The doctor will see if your cranial nerves (The nerves thatoriginate in your brain) are intact by conducting a series of tests. Yourdoctor will look inside your eyes with an ophthalmoscope, to ascertain mdirectly into your eyes to see if there’s any swelling of the optic nerve.Optic nerve changes can occur when the pressure inside the skull increases. Thedoctor may evaluate your muscle strength, coordination, ability to try and domathematical calculations, memory, etc
Afterthe physical exam, your doctor may advise some more tests. Your doctor mayconsider some of these factors before choosing a diagnostic test:
•The type of tumor suspected
•Your age and general health
•The results of earlier medical tests
•Your signs and symptoms
Someof the symptoms of a brain tumor are
Seizures
Cognitivedecline
Headaches
Speechproblems
Weakness
Lossof vision
Changesin personality
Hearingproblems
Speechproblems
Thediagnostic tests may be considered according to the symptoms, the tumorsuspected and the general health which may include:
•CTscan — C T Scans of the head would detect any gross abnormalities in the brainand skull.
•MRIof the head- It generally provides more detailed pictures of the structures ofthe brain itself.
•Angiography-It allows your doctor to visualize what the blood supply of the tumors appearslike
FunctionalMRI & Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI): MRI to assess the blood flow to thelocal parts of the brain and brain activity by measuring the microscopic watermovements in the brain and also evaluates the white matter. It tells about thelocation of certain structures in the brain which help plan the treatment ofpatients with a brain tumor in a better manner.
•SkullX-rays- Breaks or fractures in the bones of the skull may be caused by braintumors.
•Biopsy-Asmall piece of the tumor is obtained and the biopsy will identify if the tumorcells are benign or malignant. It will also determine whether cancer originatedin your brain or any other part of your body.
Ifyou are experiencing any of the symptoms, Early treatment can preventcomplications. All Brain tumors may not require surgery. Sometimes the tumor might needonly medication to treat it properly, a number of the brain tumors can belife-threatening if left alone.
Therefore,a brain tumour isn’t something to be feared about. Some of these may be easilyremoved and the patient can lead a normal life. Even in cases with malignantbrain tumors, advanced treatment can help provide a far better quality of lifefor patients.
Visitus at Neurosurgery if you’re worried about any symptomsyou’re experiencing and for early detection of brain tumors.
Formore information:
Visitus info@neurosurgerybangalore.com
