Had an MRI of the cervical spine

[Migz88]

Hello all.  I have been reading the forums for quite some time now, and created an account today. To start:
When I was 16 years old I was diagnosed with a very small syrinx in my spine.  At the time, I had no idea what it was, and I was a kid and just brushed it off, I never had any symptoms from it.  Well, 9 years later(I am now 25) my wife and I had our first child, darling daughter.. On mar 16.  So, I remembered the doctor saying I should follow up on the syrinx.  So, since our out of pocket maximum was met due to the birth of my daughter, I had another MRI of the cervical and thoracic spine, that also included the cerebellum.  The doctor said he didn't see any herniation of the tonsils, and the MRI did show a syrinx in my thoracic spine starting at t10-t4 approximately and being 5mm at the widest point.  I am still not having any symptoms from the syrinx, or none that I am aware of, however the MRI of the cervical spine did show a nodule on the right lobe of my thyroid, that was 9x11mm.  My question is, I am aware that chiarians sometimes can have a higher risk of hashimotos, is it possible the nodule is due to this?  And also- if the nodule required the thyroid being taken out, would this jeopardize my candidacy for surgery for a syrinx later, or for decompression surgery?  


Thanks, and I'm sorry for such a long post.

-Miguel

[Migz88]

I will.  Thank you very much, Selma!

[selmaS]

  Yes, it can and does, I have Hashimoto's with a few nodules....every 6 months I need an ultra sound to see if they grew.....

Make sure when u have blood work they do teh testing for auto immune thyroid conditions by looking at free T3, free T4 and TPO antibodies as well as TSH.

Hashimoto's levels can go from normal, to hypo to hyper....and then back to normal so in addition to an ultra sound every 6 months u will need blood labs too.

I was on meds for almost 2 yrs and now off them for almost 5....as my levels  got better after I have my decompression surgery.

Try to relax....and just wait to see what the results are.

Good luck and do keep us posted on what u find out.

[Migz88]

Hello, thank you for your response, Selma.  You are very kind.  Do you know if Hashimoto's ever causes a nodule to form on the thyroid? I've just got myself worked up so much worrying that it may be thyroid cancer, and my ultrasound of the node isn't until Monday..  :(

[selmaS]

  Hi and welcome to the Chiari forum.

First I would suggest u get copies of both ur MRI's and the reports....and get the opinion of a true Chiari specialist....

Unless u had an injury to ur back, a syrinx forms when there is an obstruction to CSF flow, usually there herniated cerebral tonsils create that.....so with them saying no low lying tonsils or Chiari it makes we wonder how ur syrinx's formed.

Yes, many of us do have Hashimoto's.....we r prone to connective tissue and auto immune disorders....and no, I do not think should u need the thyroid removed due to size of the nodule it should not affect future treatment of ur syrinx or Chiari should u have that as well.

Many Drs do not recognize Chiari....and since it is a congenital condition it is possible that u do  have symptoms and do not realize it.....and with a syrinx that can also block some of the pain from registering in the brain since u do have an obstruction of CSF flow.

  As for surgery on the syrinx alone, that is generally not done....decompression is done to help shrink the syrinx....a syrinx tends to be too small for a stent or shunt.

Use the Health pages for tips, info and the list of Drs....use it to research Drs and know the list is not a referral nor an endorsement....

Post if u have other questions, and know u r not alone/