Just another line Dr Nassim from missy142

[missy142]

Dr. N.
this is missy142 again, they only give u certain amount of space and when you read my post u will see the extent of my injuries is hard to compress into 2000 characters.  The BOTTOM line of the entire scenario is;  In your opinion as a Neurosurgeon do you believe the cervical injuries(with cord impression)  are causing  my LE weakness and paresthesias or thoracic herniations and buldges with thecal sac impression, T7/8 herination could be causeing them?  Not really any T7/8 pain in thorasic area, only some right flank pain occassionally. I am afraid if someone doesnt figure it out soon I wont be able to ever walk correctly or run etc. (im only 47)  again. if nerves are being compressed.   The question is where are they being compressed????? I dont want to be cut in the wrong place obviously!  Lastly what do you think of the possibility of thoracic or cervical lesion causing LE weakness, afterall it did happen like overnight?  Do you think it might be just too coincidental to have MS or something else going on at same time?   THANKS A BUNCH, sorry for verbal diarrhea but its voluminous.

Just a last note, I never had any upper extremity weakess, just neck pain, bilat. radiculopathy into hands (bad), only LE weakness (bad).  Also this was not an acute injury, I am a nurse case manager  in NYC (no longer can work at the moment) and was working over a computer and phone all day when symptoms began and all this unfolded.

ciao

[Nassim Abi Chahine, MD]

I hope my answer will gives you full satisfaction. I know you are worrying too much but this is your right to do that; I want you to understand that in neurosurgery we are not yet IDEAL.. : ) of course as a nurse you know that !
You can do supplementary examinations like somatostetic evoked potentials to confirm a cervical problem. I am almost sure that your cervical pathology is more "talkative".
this is finally my opinion, please continue being in contact with a neurologist who can examin you accurately, because the clinical exam is the most important in this case.
best of luck

thank you for appreciating my opinion and for being confident to Medhelp
Dr Nassim

[missy142]

I had emg/ncs done on my neck, confirmed bilateral radiculopathy and bilateral carpal tunnel.  I saw the neurosurgeon today and he states he doesnt feel that my spine issues are causing the severe weakness in my legs.  I will get an upated C-spine as this one is 6 months old to make sure nothing has changed, but then off to the neurologist on monday.

OF COURSE i am overly worried abou this, I woke up one day and couldnt walk!  Woulnt you be???:)

m.

[Nassim Abi Chahine, MD]

You will never loose your capability of walking  : )
do a somatostetic evoked potential of the cervical spine. it will help taking the decision

[missy142]

Thanks for the advice.  Of course I continue to follow up Im going to see my neurosurgeon next wed.  I have new MRI's of my cervcial area done on a 3T machine, and there not pretty, trust me.  I will ask about the evoked potentials.  

How is this different that EMG/NCS?  I will look it up of course but if you ever read this maybe you can answer.

And what did you mean you thought my cervcial issue was more "talkative", I dont get the analogy or metaphor.

I have been to a neurologist as well, my orthosurgeon insisted to r/o any pathologies such as MS.  She was awful,  Brain MRI done, looks ok, even though there was alot of punctate, yeah yeah, i know what your going to say.  Anyway, I had anothe c-spine as I said and probably will have another t-spine on a higher "resolution" MRI as well.  First one was .6T which just showed thoracic herniations.

thanks alot
missy

[Nassim Abi Chahine, MD]

More talkative means the one who is more suspected to cause your symptoms. I dont think that the thoracic small herniation could cause you any symptom. About MS, please forget about.. because you dont have the wright to speak unless your symptoms went into progresion or regression. Other neuro problems could be studied through a lumbar puncture and study of the liquid. Moreover an electrical studies are always helpful.
I would very like to know about all your results.
Dr Nassim

[missy142]

Um What do you mean I dont have the right to speak unless my symptoms went into progression or regresssion.

I have the "right" to ask anything doctor.  In fact my surgeons are the ones that sent me to the neurologist to r/o ms and other neurological problems,which they are doing.

mary

[Nassim Abi Chahine, MD]

Right.. you always have BUT  DON'T  SUSPECT  " MS " without having MS symptoms
Thank you for giving medhelp confidence
http://www.medhelp.org/forums/Multiple-Sclerosis/show/41