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Neurology (Expert Forum)
Re: spinal nerves
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Re: spinal nerves
by CCF MD mdf, Jan 01, 1995 12:00AM
Posted By CCF MD mdf on May 29, 1998 at 10:18:24:
In Reply to: spinal nerves posted by Susan on May 29, 1998 at 01:30:58:
Would an epidural saline injection or bloodpatch damage spinal nerves or spinal nerve roots? What does low intensity signal mean in a certain area of the spine on a radiology report of an MRI? Does it mean there is a problem in that area? When I received an epidural saline injection it felt as if it was running down the left side of my sacral area into left leg. Why did I get this feeling? The Dr. performing injection said possibly I had scar tissue there??
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I suppose it is technically possible for damage to result from injection of saline or blood patch, but it would be a very unlikely complication.
It's hard to tell what a "low signal" means because it all must be taken in context. Radiologists describing MRI findings use terms such as "high signal" (bright spot) and "low signal" (dark spot) to indicate something that isn't quite expected. Whether that is normal or abnormal, and what the specific cause or significance is requires knowledge of the clinical symptoms/signs and ability to examine the film directly.
It wouldn't be hard to imagine unusual sensations at the time of an epidural injection. After all, there are sensory nerve roots in the region, and the change in fluid pressure or electrolyte content (sodium ions, etc) could trigger signals which would then be interpreted by the brain as if they originated from the other end of that nerve root - usually in the leg. Occasionally when I do a spinal tap, the needle will bump into a spinal root and a patient will complain of a transient shock-like effect down the leg. In my experience, this has never been permanent and is just a transitory phenomenon related to local disturbance of the nerve roots.
I hope this helps. Of course, you know that this information is for your general medical education only. Any specific comment regarding diagnosis, treatment options, or prognosis must come from your doctor after appropriate evaluation. CCF MD mdf.
In Reply to: spinal nerves posted by Susan on May 29, 1998 at 01:30:58:
Would an epidural saline injection or bloodpatch damage spinal nerves or spinal nerve roots? What does low intensity signal mean in a certain area of the spine on a radiology report of an MRI? Does it mean there is a problem in that area? When I received an epidural saline injection it felt as if it was running down the left side of my sacral area into left leg. Why did I get this feeling? The Dr. performing injection said possibly I had scar tissue there??
=
I suppose it is technically possible for damage to result from injection of saline or blood patch, but it would be a very unlikely complication.
It's hard to tell what a "low signal" means because it all must be taken in context. Radiologists describing MRI findings use terms such as "high signal" (bright spot) and "low signal" (dark spot) to indicate something that isn't quite expected. Whether that is normal or abnormal, and what the specific cause or significance is requires knowledge of the clinical symptoms/signs and ability to examine the film directly.
It wouldn't be hard to imagine unusual sensations at the time of an epidural injection. After all, there are sensory nerve roots in the region, and the change in fluid pressure or electrolyte content (sodium ions, etc) could trigger signals which would then be interpreted by the brain as if they originated from the other end of that nerve root - usually in the leg. Occasionally when I do a spinal tap, the needle will bump into a spinal root and a patient will complain of a transient shock-like effect down the leg. In my experience, this has never been permanent and is just a transitory phenomenon related to local disturbance of the nerve roots.
I hope this helps. Of course, you know that this information is for your general medical education only. Any specific comment regarding diagnosis, treatment options, or prognosis must come from your doctor after appropriate evaluation. CCF MD mdf.
