MRI results

[pamk5]

Loss of normal flow void within the right vertebral artery, could represent occlusion or high grade stenosis of this vessel proximally.

Chiari malformation 8mm with borderline decreased CSF pulsation posteriorly and without morphologic changes of crowding at the foramen magnum. No syrinx identified.  

Ok my big question is has anyone else had this issue with the right vertebral artery being occluded and is it Chiari related?

[selmaS]

  Hi and welcome to the Chiari forum.

Well if u feel this might be chiari it was not due to injury by a massage, as it was there b4 the massage most likely....as the massage just may have been too rough...did they manipulate ur neck?

If they did, it may have triggered the symptoms to flare. U will want to have a cervical spine MRI and a brain MRI to see if this is a possibility.,

  Also a xray will show if u have a disk out of place...if chiari is not a factor, and the massage actually caused the issue by manipulating ur neck to rough, an xray may help to see if a disk is bulging causing the issues.

   I hope this helps

     "selma"

[ChusMa]

Hi, Ii sounds like
Ur pretty knowledgeable
About these complications.  I had a very bad injury on
My neck by a massage person.  I've had neuro symptoms that ate disabling, vertigo, eye problems, and I am trying to figure if they are chiari or vertebral artery compromise.  Nag advice on how to proceed?

[pamk5]

thats what I have tried to explain to the NS about the nights when you lie in bed your heart racing, cant swallow, hard to breath and try not freak out.  They say this wont kill you but nights like that it sure is hard to believe you arent about to check out.  

I am glad you got it all straightened out.  I pray mine goes as well as yours!

[n40066]

not at all....but like everyone else, i am forced to just grin and bear it.  in my case, just before i had surgery, they thought i was stroking out....went to the er, had them doing all kinds of tests....they couldn't understand why i wasn't freaked out.  nor would they listen when i told them i felt it was related to the chiari.  needless to say, they found nothing.  but i can tell you this,since my surgery, i have not had a single issue with my heart.  no palpatations, no spikes in bp, no racing....just a normal old heartbeat.  if you look at the pics from my surgery, you can see where things were all tangled up.  3 arteries were pinched closed....my beat is one of them led to my heart.  glad i had my surgery when i did.  if not, who knows if i would still be here???

[pamk5]

I have a CT angiogram scheduled next Wednesday.  I did have some palpitations a few weeks ago and a cardiac workup, echo and holter monitor were normal except for a few PVC's.  I am pretty sure it is Chiari related too.  The report doesnt say what part of that artery is occluded.  They had said ASAP on the test and it takes a week.  Dont you just love the waiting game.  

[n40066]

3 of the main arteries were pinched closed and one was partially closed.  they use a lot of fancy words but basically that's what they're talking about  when they refer to flow voids.....liquid, be it blood or csf ....if it's able to get from point a to point b freely and without obstruction.
high grade stenosis, in reference to say a coronary artery could mean there is an occlusion somewhere in that vessel.
have you had any problems with your heart?rapid heart beat? skipping a beat?  anything like that?  my humble opinion is that it most likely is chiari related....and you should call your dr to talk about the findings.  i would assume he would want to do further testing!

[pamk5]

I am gonna go look at them now.  Thanks!! Did you have the rt vertebral artery stenosis or occlusion too?

[n40066]

i just posted pictures from my actual surgery.  one picture is a representation of what i believe you are refering to.  these pics are real and therefore grafic in nature.  if you're like me, you'll find it rather cool to be able to see what is actually causing us all this grief!  but if you're like selma...she has a weak stomache and it isn't her cup of tea! lol

hope it helps!
elizabeth

[selmaS]

Sounds like a good plan.,.....

Well the best thing is to focus on other things for now......


potentiate compression....po·ten·ti·ate  (p-tnsh-t)
tr.v. po·ten·ti·at·ed, po·ten·ti·at·ing, po·ten·ti·ates
1. To make potent or powerful.
2. To enhance or increase the effect of (a drug).
3. To promote or strengthen (a biochemical or physiological action or effect).

Sounds like it means the artery can add to the compression.....if I am reading this right.

[pamk5]

Yeah, I def need no more stress.  I just need more Ativan at this point, hoping my PCP will renew the RX the ER doc gave me.  Really seems to help handle all this with alot less panic.  No HRT here so that isnt the cause.  

I have been studying alot regarding the stenosis with the rt vertebral artery and on Dr Rosners website he has a chiari outline and it says "vertebral artery can potentiate compression" not sure what that means exactly.  But it does mention it.  I will def ask him when I get there.  

[selmaS]

I do know of one member that had TIA's after surgery, but was told it was from her HRT......I am not sure if u r on HRT...but if u r ask ur dr about it.

Keep it on a far back burner....thinking about it can only add to stress...u do not need that.

"selma"

[pamk5]

I can always count on you for answers.... thanks!  I go next Wednesday for a CTA to examine the extent of this vertebral artery issue they have now found.  Then to the swallowing doctor the next monday... seems never ending!  I am ready to have all the answers and have my life back.  They dont seem to think since the left vertebral artery looks ok that I am in any grave danger... thankfully.  I was told to watch out for signs of a stroke, that makes me sleep well at night.  Kidding!

Thanks again!

[selmaS]

Hi...no, but I had been checked for a blockage , not sure if it was a routine test when u had a syncope (drop attack) or not.It was in doing the ultra sound of my carotid arteries that they found I had nodules on my thyroid and credence to my request to have that checked.

Most drs even chiari drs leave the decision of surgery up to u....unless, u r in immanent danger of perm nerve damage...u have to look at the benefits and what ur life alterations have been and could continue to be...this surgery has risks...and many do get  worse after...but may have even without surgery...it is not an easy decision to make.

Surgery is to slow progression...size of the herniation could be several things...angle of the slice..remember the upside down pear....cut it into 3rds...if u look at the left or the right...the size does not look as large as if u look at the middle slice....so, do not give the diff in size that much of a importance...a chiari dr will do several more MRI's using all  the same angles and slices to keep what they r looking at uniform.

"selma"

[pamk5]

I did get the lumbar too just didnt put the results up since it is a herniated disc and stenosis at L3-L4 and L5-S1.  They did look from base of brain to the sacrum.  Probably not related, although I think I read we are more susceptible to Stenosis and such.  And it was 8mm this time rather than 6mm on the last one.  Dont know if it is worse or if it was the difference in measurement.  Since it says borderline csf blockage do you think they will recommend surgery?  Dont see the doc till Nov 1! I am still going to Dr Rosner as well but at least I will have all my test out of the way at that point.  They didnt find anything in thoracic spine at all.  

I have you ever heard of this right vertebral artery blockage before, as a complication/problem of chiari?  

Thanks,

Pam

[selmaS]

I am not trying to be a Debbie Downer...but, a cervical MRI...CINE or regular will only tell if u have a syrinx in the cervical spine...they r more commonly found there, but can be also found in the thoracic spine as well as in the lumbar.

Plus, u need the lumbar to check for tethered cord.

I am not 100% sure, but I do feel  the stinosis causing this blockage  is chiari related.

"selma"

[pamk5]

Yes!! and an MRI of my spine looking for a syrinx... which one bright spot if I can find one.... No Syrinx!

[sleepypea]

Was this a cine MRI?