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Neurology (Expert Forum)
Facial Tingling with Bulging C6-C7?
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Facial Tingling with Bulging C6-C7?
by simkiss, Mar 26, 2007 12:00AM
I had a cervial MRI and was told I have a bulging disc at C6-C7, which, to me, potentially explains the tingling in my arms and hands. However, I also get tingling in the face quite often, and the occassional numbness in the chin. When I do, I often realize that my neck is in a position where my chin is on my chest (looking at my feet), but not all the time. Sometimes it just happens. Can C6-C7 be responsible for the facial tingling? (I don't take any meds).
Doctor's Answer
by Forum-M.D.-SH, Apr 17, 2007 12:00AM
First of all, keep in mind that I am unable to diagnose you because I am unable to examine you, this forum is for educational purposes.
A bulging disc a C6-C7 is most likely to compress the nerve roots as they exit the spinal column and can cause a range of symptoms (dpending on the severity) which include pain, muscle weakness and atrophy in the muscles affected or numbness and tingling. In the most mild cases the the numbness and tingling is intermitent and not bothersome. In the worst cases it can lead to permanent loss of the ability to use that arm. The muscles supplied by the nerve roots C6 (biceps, brachialis, etc) and C7 (triceps, etc) are all in the arm, and they also provide cutaneous sensation (sense of touch to the skin) of the lateral aspect of the arm. I cannot explain facial numbness based on a C6-7 disc. However the symptom of feeling numbness when you flex your spine (placing your chin on your chest) is called l'hermittes sign and although non-specific can some times indicate a demyelinating lesion in the spine (as are found with multiple sclerosis). Given your symptoms I would suggest an MRI of your brain with contrast and a repeat MRI of your C-spine (only if it was not done with contrast the first time)- to evaluate for any signs of multiple sclerosis (MS).
I hope this has been helpful.
A bulging disc a C6-C7 is most likely to compress the nerve roots as they exit the spinal column and can cause a range of symptoms (dpending on the severity) which include pain, muscle weakness and atrophy in the muscles affected or numbness and tingling. In the most mild cases the the numbness and tingling is intermitent and not bothersome. In the worst cases it can lead to permanent loss of the ability to use that arm. The muscles supplied by the nerve roots C6 (biceps, brachialis, etc) and C7 (triceps, etc) are all in the arm, and they also provide cutaneous sensation (sense of touch to the skin) of the lateral aspect of the arm. I cannot explain facial numbness based on a C6-7 disc. However the symptom of feeling numbness when you flex your spine (placing your chin on your chest) is called l'hermittes sign and although non-specific can some times indicate a demyelinating lesion in the spine (as are found with multiple sclerosis). Given your symptoms I would suggest an MRI of your brain with contrast and a repeat MRI of your C-spine (only if it was not done with contrast the first time)- to evaluate for any signs of multiple sclerosis (MS).
I hope this has been helpful.
Would you be able to describe the neck and chin issue..turning involuntarely?
Are above 50 yrs? are you overweight?
Bob
BobbHilton, you seem very intelligent, is it possible to have this tingling with cervical issues? I wrote to the neuro here before, and he said "NO". There are so many people that I read about that have this and the only thing that is found is a bulging or herniated disk. I also have no neck curvature. Thanks so much!!
I post here and few other sites.
The answer to your Q could be both ways (yes and no)!!
If you are talking anatomically , then its a big yes since the 5th cranial nerve (the sensory nerve of the face and part of the scalp) has 3 sensory nuclei (centers) one of them extends to C3 (some books say C4)
but it lies in the posterior part of the cord (not affected by an anterior compression of a disc) if got damaged it may cause sensory changes pain in the outer side part of the face (not central , not around the mouth) I mean the outside part of the forehead, cheek, or the jaw (we call it Onion skin pattern)...but why we could say no to your case , because the fibers carying the sensation of the other half of the body are very close and they would be mostly affected in any possible damage.
Having said that, there are few non neurological journals published about the phenomenon of concurrent pain in craniofacial and cervical structures, and clinical reports and opinions are presented regarding theories of cervical-to-craniofacial and craniofacial-to-cervical pain referral...but in my openion they still need a long way to prove that
Bob