PAIN WITH SYRINX

I have had surgery 7/2006.  I had 24mm Chiari Malformation with Syrinx.  I have such pain in between my shoulders in my spine. It isn't easy to explain.  Sometimes my swallowing is affected.  I choke for no reason but the pain is right on the spine .  I know it is from the syrinx.  I want to know what they do for that and I had the decompression surgery so isn't the syrinx suppose to go away.  I think they said the syrinx is near T7.  I appreciate any info and website that might help me.  Some doctors have said it is no big deal~ others say it is.  What should I believe?

[selmaS]

Hi and welcome to the forum.

I do not have a syrinx...but I believe they will hope that the syrinx will either shrink or stop the growth process.Sometimes a shunt is needed.

Were u chcecked for tethered cord also?

May I ask who was ur dr, and what was the prognosis?

Everyone will have a different experience with this...all our herniations are diff sizes...ur's is one of the bigger ones.

I also have some swollowing issues, but I have TC and hashimotos thyroiditis...so it can be diff to pinpoint where the symptoms originate.

Did u have a dura patch placed during ur surgery...I know it is possible for the herniation to again cause compression.There is no cure for chiari only treatments to help lessen the symptoms.

Get a 2nd opinion and make sure it is from a chiari specialist- if u need help locating one we do have a thread with a list of drs...please research all drs.

I hope u become a active member here to share ur chiari experiences and support.

"selma"

[Shane99]

When was the last time you had an MRI?

[cfinniss]

My doctor never did a full spine MRI just a brain and C-spine.  Does a Syrinx show up on just a C-spine MRI.  I would think these doctors would do a full spine MRI since there is a chance there could be a syrinx and tethered cord, why not check it all out at once?

I keep seeing people who have Chiari have thyroid problems also.  I started with hyperthyroidism in Jan of 07 before they found my chiari, I had Radio Active Iodine that Sept. 07 to shrink thyroid and they pushed my into hypothyroidism and now am on sythetic thyroid hormone replacement for the rest of my life.   I too had trouble swallowing before the decompression surgery and now it is better.  But I also am in PT to relax those muscles so it could be that helping also.  I also have Thyroid Eye disease now and my left eye is all swollen and being pushed out and downwards and I have to wear a prism lens to not see double because my left eye is now substantually lower than my right.  I also have occular hypertension and I was wondering if that could be caused by the intercranial pressure?  
Cathy

[LG0526]

Not to scare you, but a Syrinx is a big deal, a HUGE deal.  It can cause paralysis.  Normally they can see it on a C-Spine MRI, but sometimes you need a lumbar or thoracic MRI because the syrinx can be lower.  I had increased intercranial pressure also and they think that it is caused by the chiari malformation.  I just had neck surgery for ddd (degenerative disc disease) and will have decompression surgery in may or june hopefully.  I don't know what occular hypertension is, but I have hypertension that is caused by chiari.  Don't know if this helps, but I hope so.  Take care.

LG