help with newest MRI

Question

Okay chiari friends. I just got results from my cervical MRI and would love your input on what any of it means and what any of it means in relation to decompression surgery as well.  

Craniocervical junction:
The cerebellar tosils project 9mm below the basion opisthion line.  The tonsils are midly pointed and the foramen nagnum subarachnoid space is moderately effaced.  No significant compression of the upper cervical spinal cord or cervicomedullary junction is present.  
Vertebrae and paraspinous tissues:
Straightening of normal cervical lordotic curvature present.  Individual cervical vertebrae exhibit normal alignment and bone marrow signal characteristic.  A 10 mm hyperintense t1-t2 focus within the right lateral aspect of teh t1 body segment likely represents a hemagioma.  
c3-c4
Moderate left uncinate spondylosis present.  
Severe left and mild right facet osteoarthritis present. 
\Marked left foraminal stenosis is present, possibly affecting the left c4 nerve root.  Thecal sac: 1.3 cm (ap midline)
c4-c5
moderate bilateral facet osteoarthritis present
c5-c6 
moderate symmetric disc bulge and mild uncovertabral spondylosis precent
moderate left facet osteoarthritis present

Impression:
Chiari type q malformation characterized by 9 mm inferior tonsillar ectopia
Pronounced facet osteoarthritis present, particularly at the c3-c4 level resulting in marked left foraminal stenosis, possilby affecting the exiting left c4 nerve root.

Thank you for your time:)
I am not relisting symptoms since they have previously been typed in.

selmaS · Answer

I was watching skating the other day via a movie...and I had the same reaction...the last time I went skating was yrs ago, DD and I went to Rockafeller Center....so I am glad it was a good memory to hold to, but every time I see it at this time of yr, I miss it too....

Rylanesmom · Answer

Yeah at work yesterday a song came on that reminded me of the skating rink skating with my daughter then I teared up realizing skating would be a no too.

selmaS · Answer

Yup....find something to take ur mind off it for a while...and I know not being able to do most of what we like is a huge reminder.....but, I find I can get lost in some of my hobbies......

Rylanesmom · Answer

Yeah you fight for a year to find out what's wrong and 6 days feels like a lifetime lol

selmaS · Answer

Trust me I know ....I think we r all A types...lol....seems that way nehow.....

Rylanesmom · Answer

Selma at the top it talks about tonsils and then area that is moderatly effaced.  Does that mean anything?

Rylanesmom · Answer

3 days next week with Dr Oro.  My type A personality just does not do well with the wait ... Then there is the pain, crying, and quick fuse ...urgh just want it all to go away.

selmaS · Answer

That minor accident may have been it, I was a teen when my accident occured.....it went 14yrs undx'd......roller coasters, zip lines ...u could get whip lash from that and never know it....whip lash is not something u know immediately and does not show up on ne tests right away either.....

  They should do an MRI to see what all is going on and xray too....just to check the disks.

  But this may relieve some of ur issues.

  However, u do have chiari per ur report...and stinosis....so I would think more tests r in ur future.

    "selma"

Rylanesmom · Answer

Head moving clicks neck and shoulder moving clicks shoulder.  There are also times my hip clicks when I walk.  no major accident ever.  Very minor accident when I was a teen with no injuries.  I do love adventure roller coasters, zip lining, rip cord but don't recall feeling injured after any.  I was not in the military but it is umcomfortable to look up so I don't do it a lot.  I can't believe that chiro told me my neck was awful and still pulled on it without xrays.  I will call some local chiro and ask about adjusting without messing with my neck.

selmaS · Answer

Well I also had a issue with my lordosis,mine was reversal of the curvature...so I had an indentation as well and such pain...and PT and a chiropractor did help...again, I had no idea of the chiari when I went...as it is a no no to have our necks adjusted and or manipulated.

 But, it is the muscles surrounding the area that twist and cause the lordosis to go further out of shape or alignment....A good Chiropractor should be able to work on ur shoulders and leave ur neck alone....

 U need to do a lot of shoulder rolls to loosen up those muscles.

  When u do that do u hear clicks? if so, that is the knots in the muscles.

  I am just surprised u were not ever in a MVA....this is perplexing as to how this has bcome an issue for u...u weren't in the military? or an org where u had to stand at attention?

    "selma"

Rylanesmom · Answer

Chiropractor had mentioned my neck curve was odd and he was having trouble adjusting it.  I went for a cople months twice a week. I now know that is a no.  Physical therapy did tell me I had reduced motion and gave me a bunch of stretches to do.  They don't seem to help.  I also tried massage therapy.  This all resulted in me crying at pcp office telling her somethin was really wrong she just couldn't find it.  MRI was ordered she called me and said chiari ... She can't help time for ns.

selmaS · Answer

Really...hmmm well that is odd most with this issue do have a fall or MVA they were in, could have been yrs ago....as much as 20 yrs....does not have to be recent.

 But this reversal will cause shoulder and neck issues, stiff neck, ur range of motion will be limited....and this can be helped with PT...but u have to be careful they do not touch ur neck.

 This reversal of the lordosis can also cause many HA's and they will be at the lower part of the skull/neck where they connect.

  "selma"

Rylanesmom · Answer

No injuries ... Thank you for your time Selma

selmaS · Answer

Hi...sorry, but u have a lot going on in ur report...and it leads to more questions and I was not sure how to address them all, so we will do 1 at a time...

 Loss of the cervical lordosis- were u in a MVA and suffer whip lash?

Rylanesmom · Answer

Thanks Linnie:)

linnielou232 · Answer

I read this but really can't help.  You have to wait for our expert Selma :)  she know's a lot about all this.  Best of luck.  I know the 9mm is how long your chairi is lowering, but like Selma states it doesn't matter how long, but how wide.  I'm sure she will give you some answer's soon.