Just wondering if bleeding from an ear is a possible symptom of a Chiari Malformation? Anyone?

Her MRI and CT scan were clear so I think it's safe to rule out a tumor, but nobody seems to know what's wrong. I was thinking Chiari is possible until I heard this. Anyone have any suggestions as to what can cause bleeding from an ear?

And yeah, I know she needs to get to the doctors, etc. etc. Just looking for some insight as to what this might be.

It could be from an ear infection and, I don't know if they would need to do another CT to see, espeically if its been a while, but it could be a really bad and advanced sinus infection (Sinusitis) based from reading your previous post as well, it could suggest this as well. Sinus infections can be fatal if not delt with, and if she has one, it could very well be that advanced to where its dangerous, especially since she has hearing and vision problems. Sinus infections can cause coma, seizures, personality changes amoung many things. She may need to see an ENT(ear nose throat doctor). I would strongly encourage you to take her to the ER. It could very well be other things like an ear tumor, vascular malformation, middle ear infection. I'd hate for her to loose her vision or loose her hearing.

One way to start getting things draining is regular Sudafed and Guaifenesin, both are over the counter drugs, just ask a pharmasist to located them for you. Putting heat on her head and breathing in vapors from water steem... DON'T DO THIS OVER A STOVE, but from something like a heated cup of hot water, or while drinking tea can help get things draining. Staying on top of drinking lots of fluids is important so that things can keep Draining.

Before all this stuff started happening to her, did she have a cold or get sick? Does she have a cough now or does she notice if things are draining down the back of her throat? These would be sure signs of sinus infection, though it may not always be this obvious. These medicines could also help with the inner ear problem as well as far as helping get rid of fluid, but if the its so bad that she's bleeding and having vision problems her situation may be as such that the doc may have to try and get the fluid out by other means.

There could be MANY other things causing this that I am not aware of, so please be careful and drag her to the doctor please :dizzy:

Good luck to you both and God Bless! :angel:

I appreciate your help Pearldoves. I hadn't considered that.

Unfortunately, the duration of symptoms and severe cognitive problems are suggesting otherwise. Sometimes she is mentally fine and other times she is totally retarded and unable to even speak. Can't read outloud and can't respond to words. It seems like it gets worst most often at night when she's lying down. Does chiari or anything worsen from being in a lying down position?

It's hard to get her to proper care without health insurance. ;/ Real hard. She can't see a neuro for another month, and the ER has flat out turned her down when friends had brought her in for passing out. They actually suggested sending her to psychiatrists. Totally pathetic.

But again I appreciate your insight a lot. You're a fantastic help on these forums!

I had to edit my above post, I didn't quite relay the info correctly at first - I can't remember seeing anything directly related to sinusitis but the ear infection definatly yes, so I appolgize, but all fixed now I think :dizzy:

But as for Chiari Malformation, I'm not sure, perhaps I'll be able to find something on it.

Are you serious that they turned her down!? Around where I am, they are not allowed to turn anybody down I beleive. Perhaps laws are different here? Or maybe try another hospital.

Upon looking into it, it appears some of her symptoms could coorilate, so it may be worth mentioning to the docs as it can be something missed at times, but I still haven't found anything that would suggest it causing bleeding in the ear but it could possibly cause hearing loss.

Briefly going back to sinusitis.. in severe stages, it can spread infection to the brain, but I don't know if that would cause cognitive issues or not.

Is this the same friend who you spoke of a while back in regard to a thyroid problem? Because if so, thyroid could explain much because it effects so much of the body and causes so many problems with the body that one may never know or come to the conclusion that it was thyroid. I've found some rather interesting symptoms related to thryoid - including neuro problems. Basicly it would appear the thyroid can effect almost all metabolic proceses. She may just need to get surgery on it or get on some good medication management. She should have some labs done: TSH, T3,T4 for starters and see some sort of Thyroid specialist. Good luck, you have my prayers.

At first her doctors and myself thought all of her problems were thyroid related, but the extent and severity of her symptoms have proven otherwise. The doctors were totally baffled after her clear MRI and even when they saw small things (not exactly sure what things yet) on past CT scans they said it was nothing that could cause any of this.

My last guess is that the radiologist did a poor job reading her MRI for it to have come up clean.

Hmm, well a neurosurgeon I would guess could get something out of the films without a radiologist, yet they still do rely on them in case the radiologist sees something that the doc might not. So it might be good to have it re-read or re-done at another place so at to a second opinion sorta speak film-wise.

I can't remember at the momment if you already mentioned this, but if they haven't done this MRI with Contrast, now would be the time do have that, I would get one done with and without contrast as well as an MRA. Its possible they may need to do some sort of biopsy down the road to get more answers.
It bothers me that they see something yet say that its clear. What are these "things" that they are seeing? Can they be described?

The only other thing I could suggest at the momment is having her see an Internal Medicine Doctor so as to try and find out what is going on, with the big picture in mind. These doc are called upon when something is difficult to solve, which would definatly be your friend it seems. If you look into it, I think you'll quickly see why I am suggesting this. I think this is what I would be seeking out in this situation.

Internal Medicine Doc's may only be able to be brought in with another doc's consult. So it would be best to probably talk to a doc she has been seeing to get referred to one or to have one put on her case. Reason being, I think many of these doc's work within the hospital rather than having their own practice, but I could be wrong - you could look into it. There are very many subcatagories of internal medicine docs that have their own practices like Rhuematology and Infectious Disease, but Internal medicine straight out would most likely help look into MANY things. Good Luck, keep us updated.

no I dont believe it is a symptom.

sm/cm
surgery in 1999