8 Conditions That Require Neurology Second Opinion

Being diagnosed with a neurological disorder or facing neurosurgery can be confusing and frightening for the patient as well as his/her family members because everything depends on the right diagnosis and treatment. Getting a second opinion from neurosurgeon is always a good idea in such cases because it not only provides peace of mind, but you also get to know your options before making your decision. A neurology second opinion consists of reviewing and evaluating your previous images and diagnosis and forming a report that consists of recommended treatment.

What Can A Neurology Second Opinion Suggest?

A Neurology Second Opinion Report Can Confirm Your Diagnosis or Give A New Diagnosis.

Initial imaging of brain tumors and other neurosurgical conditions may look similar and therefore, accurate diagnosis of the condition is essential to suggest the best treatment plan. If the initial reports seem ambiguous and the diagnosis requires re-confirmation then the second opinion report may suggest additional advanced imaging and other tests confirm your condition.

Provide Information About Different Options

Neurology and neurosurgery have made groundbreaking advancement and various minimally invasive procedures and alternative treatment options are available today. A second opinion may offer a minimal-access alternative to open surgery.

Access Your Risk

There a various treatment options for neurological disorders and each treatment option carries different levels of risk, which often depends on the age and general health of the patient, the patient’s medical history and family history. Ask a neurologist for the second opinion assesses a patient’s risk based on his or her individual situation.

Provide Recommendations

Based on a particular patient’s medical situation, the second opinion report can recommend a specific course of treatment that the panel of experts believes is best suited for the patient.

4 Situations That Call Of Neurology Second Opinion

There are situations when a patient should seek second medical opinion for neurology and it can be a life-saving decision:

When The Patient Is Skeptical About The First Opinion

It is absolutely crucial to trust your neurologist. If you doubt the diagnosis of the neurologist, you see that a lot of your queries remain unanswered or if you don’t feel comfortable with him then it is best to seek a second opinion to settle these doubts.

Todd Bischoff was diagnosed with an essential tumor at the age of 46. The neurologist only said that he can let him know if he wanted to take the medication and walked out of the room without explaining what an essential tumor was or the possible treatments and medications. Todd was a bit intimidated by this response and he went home and researched the conditions. The description and symptoms of Parkinson’s disease appeared to match his symptoms much better. So, he sought a neurology second opinion which confirmed the diagnosis of young-onset Parkinson’s.

When Your Diagnosis Is Unclear

If a patient is experiencing complicated symptoms or if the diagnosis is confusing or unclear then it is best to opt for a neurology second opinion. Although neurologists are trained in a wide variety of neurological conditions, some of them undergo advanced training in specific areas and specialize in specific fields.

If you see Todd’s case, his second opinion report suggested him to consult a Parkinson’s disease specialist because the doctor felt that he required specialized medical attention. Todd went on to receive his treatment from a movement disorder subspecialist and presently he feels more confident in dealing with his condition because he has an experienced neurologist to assist him.

You Have A Rare Neurological Condition

There are certain neurological conditions such as Central pontine myelinolysis which require a specialized second opinion because the early symptoms can often be confused with symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.

Jeffrey M. Amitin was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease following gastric bypass surgery. After four months of tests, a neurologist finally concluded that Jeffery had pontine myelinolysis, a condition caused by the destruction of the linings covering the nerve cells present in the brainstem. With extensive search, Jeffery finally found a team of specialists who are trained to manage his condition.

Your Doctor Ignores Your Concerns

If you feel that the present treatment and medication you are undergoing is not working for you but your neurologist dismisses your concerns then it is time to get a second opinion from a different neurologist.

Michelle Farris had been experiencing head pain for months and had been diagnosed with migraine. When her condition worsened and the headache began to appear with every sneeze and cough, her neurologist put her on a drug that caused acute angle-closure glaucoma. Although Michelle suggested to her doctor that the new medication that was prescribed to her might have caused it, the doctor simply dismissed her concerns. Then she went on to seek a neurology second opinion and was diagnosed with a spinal fluid leak.

4 Conditions That Call For Neurology Second Opinion

Brain Tumor Second Opinion

A brain tumor is a mass or growth of abnormal cells in the brain and it can be cancerous or non-cancerous. It is a treatable condition, but the treatment includes invasive surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. Therefore, it is best to seek a brain tumor second opinion before deciding upon any treatment because these are life-altering therapies and procedures.

Stroke Second Opinion

A stroke is caused by interruption of blood flow to the brain which causes damage to the brain tissue. A stroke can lead to neurological sequelae of a permanent nature. The diagnosis of a stroke is based on the changes seen in a CT scan and MRI scan. Getting a stroke second opinion from a panel of consultant neurologists helps to confirm the treatment options as well as the benefits, risks and side effects associated with each treatment.

Parkinson’s Disease Second Opinion

Parkinson’s disease is a neurological disorder marked by tremors, slow movement, loss of balance and muscle stiffness. These symptoms are common for other neurological disorders as well, which makes it difficult to diagnoses this disease, especially in the early stages. Therefore, a Parkinson’s second opinion from a neurologist who specializes in movement disorders is ideal to confirm the diagnosis.

Epilepsy Second Opinion

In most cases, a patient suffering from epilepsy is initially treated by a primary care doctor or general practitioner. But in many cases, it becomes difficult to control the seizures as the patient starts having multiple seizures within a short period of time. In such cases, it is best to seek an epilepsy second opinion from a neurologist who can help to evaluate the seizures and suggest a suitable treatment for uncontrolled seizure.

Getting a medical second opinion online helps you to gather more knowledge and information about your condition and your treatment options and it can be a lifesaving decision in many cases.

[cl-review quote=”Medically Reviewed By” author=”Dr. Kaushal M. Bhavsar (MBBS, MD)” occupation=”Assistant Professor in Pulmonary Medicine, GMERS Medical College, Ahmedabad” avatar_image=”1325″ source=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.linkedin.com%2Fin%2Fdr-kaushal-bhavsar-a8137355%2F|target:_blank”]

Bipasha Mukherjee