Cervical spine MRI hypertrophic changes

[maggiemag]

Hi everyone.  I am being evaluated for CIDP (chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy) and recently had an MRI/MRA of the cervical spine.  It showed, among other things, hypertrophic changes, of C 3-7, but it didn't say where.  Does one assume that the changes are in the nerve roots, which would then point to CIDP, OR are the changes elsewhere and only mean degenerative changes?  My appointment with the neuro isn't for about another month.  When I googled cervical spine hypertrophic changes, the very first article that came up was on CIDP.  Anyone know?

[PaulMD]

Hi there.

I understand your situation.  The description on the MRI/MRA scans are indeed somewhat vague and the situations you mentioned are all possible.  There can be several structures in that scan that can have hypertrophic changes including the bony vertebrae, the discs, the spinal cord itself, or the roots of the nerves.  Degenerative changes in the bones do not commonly present with hypertrophy.  I suggest that you clarify this with the radiologist who interpreted the scan, and I'm also sure that most of your questions will be answered by the time you get to your neurologist (though I understand this might take some time).

Regards and God bless.

[maggiemag]

Thanks for taking the time to answer.  Along with the other evidence, it's looking like the neuro was right in her tentative diagnosis of CIDP.  We will see!