syrinx and ms conection???

[adele190]

hello,was wondering on other peoples thoughts regards my MRI  findings...im a 37 yr old female,im a nurse but neurology is such a wide subject that i only know the basics...for 2 years i have had constant dizziness which is worse on head movement,and balance problems,back and neck pain and my left leg is sleepy. and hand weakness and pins n needles in hands .problems with my ears have been ruled out..my MRI findings are,syrinx on c6/c7 cervical spine. with slight swelling of the cord on that site,  no  chiari malformation, also minor relative decrease in the height of c4-5 c5-6 c6-7 and c7=di vertebrae, these are associated  with minimal posterior disc bulge intending THECA no root nerve compromise notedand a small cyst on my pituitary gland in my brain,  any help explaing these findings a bit more would be great,,also 2 years of dizziness is driving me mad,no brain lesions so the thoughts of  MS have been ruled out, ear problems have been ruled out,would a small syrinx cause dizziness? and a cyst in the brain?.im taking propranolol tablets for the dizziness,the tablets have made the dizziness less violent but i still live  every day being off balance and dizzy....thoughts anyone??  can a syrinx cause constent dizziness? is there a connection with ms and a syrinx? and why a syrinx with no chiari malformation?

[selmaS]

No sorry, I am from the USA...we do have a few from the UK...and even a Drs list..and info-



http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Chiari-Malformation/CHIARI-DRS-LIST-UK/show/1371873

[adele190]

cyst was 3mm very small,syrinx goes from bottom of c6 to top of c7 so i guess about  2inches!! not had a upright MRI  but im seeing a new neuro doc in jan i will take all of my MRI reports and disks so he can study them,even i can see the syrinx on my MRI  yet one doc said that he was not taking any notice of the radiographers report as  it is not a syrinx!! he wants another doc to look at it then he will see me again back in clinic yet in the mean time i get a letter  saying ive been discharged!!! so i see a new doc jan ,long story,,is everyone on here in the uk?

[Spaceystac]

It sounds like your neck looks much like mine!  I wonder if you have Chiari 0. Maybe it's there, just not unless you are in the upright position. Maybe they could do an upright MRI with flow study.
How large is your Syrinx, it you dont mind me asking?   And did they measure the cyst on your pituitary gland? I wonder if it too is causing pressure changes.
My Syrinx is very narrow and central, suggesting it is a central canal dilation and looks like it communicates with the 4th ventricle. It is most prominent from C3-4 to T-1,  where I too have degenerative changes.  When there is restriction  of the spinal fluid in the neck, it makes it harder for nutrients to make it to you lower spine. Studies I have read showed that the amounts of proteins and other things found spinal tap results from patients with congenital cervical stenosis were very low. So, disrupted spinal fluid can cause a lot of different issues in different ways.


So regardless of having Chiari or some other entity, something is causing your Syrinx. Most likely disrupted csf flow somewhere in your spine or brain. Even tethered cord can cause a syrinx, and spinal cord tumors need to be ruled out with a fine tooth comb. If they cant see any Chiari, they have to find the cause.    Also, make sure your C-1 isnt pressing on your brain stem, that would cause dizziness. Sometimes radiologists just miss things or dont think they should be mentioned.   I would definetly get the reports and just read them yourself  just to make sure they arnt wording anything different like tonsilar herniation, there are lots of different terms they use for this.

Hope you find some more answers soon!

[selmaS]

It is  not just the older drs ...it is the old info being taught...info on chiari has not been updated....chiari drs r doing most of their own research in order to give better care.

U r right about needing the C-section...it is the best way to go...and  avoid LP's if u can as  the person drawing can draw too fast and cause even more issues...so do be careful.....and be sure they all understand u have a syrinx.

"selma"

[adele190]

thanks selma,i have had no MVA or falls.im seeing a diff neuro doc in jan as ive asked  to see a neuro doc who knows alot about dizziness,,and balance problems,,so i guess i will have to wait and see what he has to say,i know that for 2 years of constant dizziness and balance issues that there is a under lying cause some where,so i have put off having a baby untill i have found out what is wrong with me as i think  it is not wise to have a baby if i am having health issues,i do know that with a syrinx it is best to have a C section instead of going into labour as the straning will put pressure on my cervical spine..not happy about that but if its best for me health then so be it,,yes i understand yr coment about old old docs! they dont seem to keep up to date with things,

[selmaS]

Well it is not that I want u to have chiari...but, I was to many drs that said no chiari, yet I did in fact have it....there is strong debate on this in the medical community and little taught in medical school...and what is taught is old and out dated info causing the many mis dx's that r going on....

I could quote several members and people I know with this issue and the times they were told they did not have chiari when in fact that was the problem....

Have they asked u about u ever being in a MVA or having a fall?...to explain the syrinx?

I understand ur need to know and understand what is going on, it gets to a point where the drs look at u like u r over stating the symptoms....it is unfair.

Sending prayers so u can get to having that baby soon : )

"selma"

[adele190]

i have had 3 different docs look at my brain MRI and they all say no chiari.....but a synix is on my cervical spine at c6/7  position between my shoulder blades,,and a small cyst on my piturity gland on my brain,,i thought maybe my symptoms had nothing to do with the finding of a syrinx and that we had just found the syrinx on MRI,,,cervical virtigo has been mentioned at some point and basilar migraine,,still under the care of neuro doc my next app is in jan 2011..its been 2 years and still no answers.to be honest i thought i could have ms but i have no lesions on brain,but im wondering if a syrinx on the  cervical spine is connected with ms,,i no ms as a fining is so not nice,but i know something is wrong and its a slow process to find out what is wrong,im planing having a baby but its all on hold untill i get answers,,

[selmaS]

Hi and welcome to the chiari forum.

Are u positive u do not have chiari?...the reason I ask is many drs will say no u do not when in fact u do....they do not recognize chiari unless the herniation is of a certain size which is not the way to identify chiari. Do review the MRI films and reports....u may find something in them.

I am glad u stopped over and I am sure others will chime in on the MS factor....

"selma"