Author Archives: Dr. Li

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About Dr. Li

I am a professional surgeon based in Beijing, China.

Main Symptoms of Atlantoaxial Dislocation

The atlantoaxial joint sits at the very top of the neck, right under the skull. When the first two vertebrae slip out of line, the body sends loud, clear warnings. Neck pain is the first and most constant clue. It feels deep, like a rod poking upward from the base of the head, and gets worse with the slightest nod or turn. Headache follows the same track, wrapping around the back of the head and behind the eyes. Coughing or sneezing can shoot sharp pain up the scalp. Neck motion stiffens. You may find yourself turning your whole body instead... Learn more

Main Symptoms of Ependymoma

Ependymoma is a brain or spinal-cord tumor that starts in the lining of the fluid-filled spaces inside the skull and spine. Because this lining reaches many areas, symptoms depend on where the tumor is growing and how much it blocks the normal flow of cerebrospinal fluid. The most common early clue is a new headache that is dull and steady, often worse in the morning or when lying flat. Nausea and vomiting may follow the headache, especially if the tumor raises pressure inside the head. Many people feel clumsy or notice weakness in an arm or leg. If the tumor... Learn more

Main Symptoms of Scalp Hematoma

A scalp hematoma is a collection of blood under the scalp skin after a bump, blow, or hair-pulling injury. It looks worse than it feels, but knowing the signs keeps you calm. The first thing you notice is a soft, squishy lump that appears within minutes. It may be cherry-sized or cover half the head, yet the skin can slide over it like a water balloon. Pain is usually mild and throbbing. Over-the-counter painkillers calm it, and resting the head on a pillow feels better than sitting upright. Skin color changes follow the clock: red-purple at first, then blue, green,... Learn more

Main Symptoms of Post-Traumatic Hydrocephalus

After a head injury, fluid can build up even when the skull looks intact. This “water on the brain” creeps in weeks or months later, so changes are often blamed on mood or fatigue alone. The first sign is usually walking trouble: feet feel stuck to the floor, steps shorten, and turns take tiny shuffles. People joke they’ve “forgotten how to walk.” Thinking slows next. You lose the thread of a short story, need grocery lists for three items, or answer questions seconds too late. Bladder urgency shows up. A normal day ends with sprinting to the bathroom, and nights... Learn more

Main Symptoms of Post-Traumatic Epilepsy

A bang to the head can leave behind a scar that misfires electricity weeks, months, or even years later. Knowing the faces of post-traumatic epilepsy helps you spot trouble early. The classic event is a grand-mal seizure: the body stiffens, then jerks in rhythm for a minute or two. Tongue or cheek may be bitten, and the person wakes up groggy with no memory of what happened. Before that big moment, many feel an aura—a short, strange warning. Vision may blur, smells may turn metallic, or the stomach drops like on a roller-coaster. Some seizures stay small. A vacant stare,... Learn more