trying to make sense of my MRI report

[pdxmomof3boys]

hello everyone!

I was very impatient and ordered my report today from the MRI of my cervical spine I had just last night. I am too anxious to wait for my appointment on tuesday, even though that is probably the most wise choice. I did some research and came up with my own theories, but thought I would hit you all up for some help since many of you have already had your spinal problems diagnosed.

I have foraminal stenosis in varying degrees (mild to moderate) from C-1 to T-1. I also have spurring that contributes to some of it. The part that is most concerning to me is where it says " At C-6 there is a small central disk protrusion and mild uncovertebral spurring. There is a slight venral cord indentation by the disk protrusion and narrowing of the subarachnoid space with overall mild central canal stenosis. Mild bilateral stenosis is also seen." Does this describe a syrinx? When I did a search for "narrowing of subarachnoid space" the only things that came up were chiari related. Do any of the problems mentioned relate to chiari? Also, the cine study revealed that there is no alteration to flow dynamics but the study at the foramen magnum demonstrates the predominance of flow ventrally.

My symptoms have been worsening lately -- headaches, especially. I am just trying to be as informed as I can be before I see my NS on tuesday  morning. When faced with having to make a decision, I'd like to be prepared. I did some research on my NS and he is a pretty highly acclaimed surgeon in a group of surgeons that make up the Brain Institute of Providence in Portland. They are all published and well-respected. He specializes in skull-base surgeries and has done many decompressions to relieve symptoms. I feel that I can trust him and have no idea where I could even begin to find a more respected opinion. He seems to believe that my quality of life should be the main indicator in whether or not to do the surgery. He is pretty amazing.

Please let me know what you think. I'm freaking out a little because it is more than I anticipated. Thanks for all of your help! I know that none of us are doctors, but any little info you can pass on to me would be helpful :)

Rosemarie

[selmaS]

Hi Rosemarie,

I know u want to be prepared...but for what?.....with this testing complete if u went to 3 diff drs u could get 3 diff answers and or suggestions.....so it is hard for u a non medical to be completely prepared for what ur dr is going to recommend.

I am sure u have enuff info on chiari and related conditions....best bet is go and take someone with u to take notes...and ask how u can reach the dr after the appointment if u have further questions.....as it is usually when u r home a few hours that u can formulate them and absorb what u were even told.

I tend to get like a deer in head lights...so go listen and have someone else that may hear something u may miss and a way to ask more questions if need be.

Many with chiari have other conditions as well and degeneration of the spine is a normal aging process...so everyone has it to some degree....

Stenosis is also something many of us with chiari have and many get as they age....it is only a problem if it impinges the spinal cord.

If u had a syrinx I am sure the report would say so, or describe as a cyst......but not being drs it is diff to say what u dr will see....most NS's read the MRI themselves and do not always go by the radiologists opinion.

Sounds like u r in good hands so do try and relax as stress can make ur HA worse.

Good luck and do post us on how it all goes : )

"selma"

[pdxmomof3boys]

Thanks for the response. I just hate to be caught off guard, you know? I am taking notes now for my appointment, and will for sure take notes while I am there. It's just that I really want the decompression surgery to reduce my headaches and vertigo (which are both REALLY bad today, and I am here at school teaching when I can barely function) but feel like there needs to be something more seriously wrong in order to do it. No one is really making me feel this way, I guess it's just something I have to deal with for myself. Should I just live with the pain/symptoms or put myself and my family through the stress of surgery/recovery? Does it sound bad that I was hoping for a more definitive reason to elect surgery as a treatment? I'm not hoping for myself to be sicker, but for a concrete reason to do it -- where the doctor tells me i have to so that I don't have to make the tough decision. I'm horrible at this.

I guess I also just want to have an answer NOW. Tuesday seems like such a long time from now...

Anyway, thank you for the support! You are wonderful.

Rosemarie

[selmaS]

HI Rosemarie......well there r no guarantees that surgery is going to eliminate the symptoms u have. U must try all other methods first ...rule out other conditions.

If the symptoms r from chiari it may relieve them.....it may not relieve them all...so do know that. And there is no cure.....

Most surgeons only make the decision to do surgery in an emergency situation...the decision is urs...the dr may suggest the best route to take and it all depends on ur symptoms, quality of life and CSF flow.

I know it  is tough to wait...but u can do it...just like u r getting to work and going about ur daily life.....we all push to keep going until we can't do it nemore.....

If ur dr can come up with a way to help u without surgery do try it first......

Time flies by so fast....b4 u know it Tuesday will be a memory u can't recapture.....try and relax and enjoy the days till Tuesday : )

"selma"

[pdxmomof3boys]

You are absolutely right! It's already friday and tuesday will be here before I know it. I just get really scared out of the blue because I have worsening symptoms and NEW symptoms and my husband is so worried.

The weakness, dizziness, nausea and heavy-headedness is getting worse. It is constant with no relief. Pins and needles in my face, head, tongue and the back of my throat has been steady for the past 3 days with no relief. My sciatica is flaring up for whatever reason (hasn't since my last pregnancy -- I thought it was a non-issue and associated it with being pregnant, which I am currently NOT) and the backs of my legs are really sore. My IBS is flaring BIG TIME and my stomach is in agony. Ugh! It's just frustrating.

Thank you so much for your support. I appreciate that you are here -- like our chiari mother hen :)

Rosemarie

[selmaS]

Hi Rosemarie,

Well, not trying to be right...just sharing what i have been thru.

aaaaawwwwwwww thanks for the chiari mother hen title... : )

I do look at the members here as a family.....we do get great support from each other and nothing else can compare to talking to someone that understands.

I can't remember so I apologize if u said, but have u had a fall or injury to ur back...MVA recently?

"selma"

[pdxmomof3boys]

No, no accident. I have been in two accidents, but not since I was a teen. I started to develop asthma in my last pregnancy, and the constant coughing, I think, was the trauma that started it all. It was as my symptoms worsened that I started experiencing the headaches. Then once the headaches started, they never stopped! Many of my other symptoms, though, I've had since early adolescence and drs always said it was arthritis or just growing pains.

thanks again! I will for sure post on tuesday after my appt :)

Rosemarie