Only did head MRI....thought Neck should be done 2

[jorlex137]

I'm already frustrated...well I've been frustrated!  I've been in pain for over 10 years and went through a brain surgery for Cavernous Angioma in 2006 in my right frontal lobe, promised that the headaches would go away.  They did not!  Then the ear plugged thing started and along with a bunch of other "****" that has gotten worse!

I have a headache daily now!  My brain feels so sensitive if I do the wrong thing or movement.  My neurologist did the apology on the Chiari because the were too focused on the angioma.  So she ordered a head and neck MRI with CSF flow study to see where the Chiari is at and said we'd from this point.  

I called my previous neurosurgeon and found out he is experienced with Chiari so I asked to be seen by him.  They told me as soon as I completed my CINE MRI to have it sent to them and we'd go from there.

I called today to make sure the CINE was getting sent to the surgeon...she said they only did a MRI of the head and the CSF flow study.

Didn't they need to do the neck as well?  Isn't that how you look for syrinx?  

[rod44]

Thanks for that Selma and jorlex137,
when I was with the NL last week she had a junior doctor with her and they were talking about “ Intracranial pressure” and syncope. they were asking a lot of questions about the drop attacks that I have been experiencing (been to A&E a few times after them) and they did  indicate that they were going to organise some tests around this.
I could only remember some of what they said but Intracranial pressure” and syncope stand out. I had to look up syncope on the internet and found it is the medical term for fainting or drop attacks.
The NL did say that she feels the vertigo is due to Benign Positional Vertigo and she said the Syrinx was a neurosurgical issue, the ENT doctor did not want me to see a NS but sent the MRI scans for review, then I got an app in the post for the NS so I don’t know what is going on.  Its  all very confusing for this brain of mine!!

when I inquired from my GP about the drop attacks and as to what caused them she did say that the it could be due to a change in the CSF pressure caused by the Syrinx and  the NS  would be Investigating this.
  
rod

[selmaS]

no problem..... : )

[jorlex137]

Thanks for clearing that up!!  

[selmaS]

They r one in the same.....CINE is a flow study...and it can detect an obstruction.

[jorlex137]

I was told it is the same thing...could be wrong

[rod44]

Please excuse my ignorance,

I know that CINE-MRI is used to detect an obstruction but is this what you reefer to when you say  “CSF flow study” or is this a different test.
rod

[jorlex137]

Okay thanks!  She said they missed the Chiari on my previous MRI (year ago) so she wanted a updated MRI and the CSF flow study to know more.  
This has all been done at UW Health in Madison, WI.
My neurosurgeon whom did my Cavernous Angioma surgery and also is experienced in Chairi surgery is Dr. Todd Alexander.  When I see him again, I'll be asking for more details on his experience.  

[selmaS]

If the NS u r going to is experienced with chiari I am sure he will do the additional testing to look for a syrinx...most are found  in the cervical spine, but some have been found in the thoracic spine and rarely in the lumbar spine.


Like Rod said if there was no flow restriction, it could be the insurance denied another MRI depending on the code they offered....as I said if the NS is experienced with chiari he will know how to get it approved and if it is needed.

"selma"

[rod44]

I should add I thought a CINE-MRI was a scan that showed CSF flow

[rod44]

That seems strange. You would expect they would do the whole lot together.
I am just speculating here and stand open to correction.
CINE-MRI will show an obstruction of CSF flow and this can indicate if there is a Syrinx. If they find an obstruction then they can do an MRI of the C Spine or whole spine. If no problem is identified then they properly feel no further MRI scans are necessary and his cuts down on expense.
ROD