Tics associated with your tumor?

[momof3boys]

Hi, everyone. My son has been experiencing complex facial tics since August. There was a couple of months when they were happening, then they were gone. Then a couple months later, he had one night of tics. Another 8 weeks, and they are back again - with a vengeance! In the meantime, he had an MRI/MRA which showed a very small (4.4mm) lesion in his brain. The neurosurgeon we were sent to says it could be an AVM (arteriovenous malformation) or a tumor - or something that shows up on one scan and is gone on the next. He doesn't think it would be associated with the tics. The neurologist, however, said it is either swelling or a small tumor, and that it COULD be associated with the tics. I have searched and searched, and don't seem to be able to find anything even remotely definitiive - just about everything I find talks about HEMIfacial spasms or paralysis. This lesion is almost in the middle of his brain, the 'superior medial aspect of the right cerebellar hemishere' is how I believe it was worded. The tics involve both eyes, both sides of his mouth, and a tilt of the head. Recently he added a jaw thrust sort of motion.

Anyway...I am at a loss, and have a couple more months before the next MRI. Do any of you have any experience with tics, associated (or not) with your tumors?

THanks in advance for your info. My son is 7 years old and asking a lot of questions that I can't answer.

Peg

[JustAFactOfLife]

I read both your posts and I certainly can relate to concerns and questions you may have. I hope by now you have read my reply on the other post.

Tics can be a nerve disorder that could be related to the pressure on a facial nerve. This is a common early symptom of several internal brain disorders. Let your doctors do their work investigating, and try not to worry.

A thing that helped me during the diagnois phase was to write down my questions I had as they came to me, and then present them to the various doctors you may see. The questions can represent some keywords for your research on the internet too.

If you remember, http://cyberknifesupport.org/forum is a great place to check out. I learned a lot on my brain tumor at both forums. I believe each forum will provide you with your answers and other available information, forums, doctors, patients, and web sites.

[momof3boys]

Thanks so much for your reply...we are still in a holding pattern...waiting for follow-up MRI, and fighting insurance to pay for the first one..long story! THanks for the info....very helpful!

Peg