focal mass effect on thoracic cord ???

[Angela295]

Hi I found this forum and am very interested in all of your comments. I was in a severe accident May 07, I had a c5-c6 diskectmy with fusion in march 08. I have complained of back pain upper and lower for over a yr. Finally dr did a MRI of lumbar and thoracic and I am waiting for dr to review. The report was looked at by my PT and she is concerned. I have a t7-t8 central disk protrusion creating a focal mass effect on the thoracic cord. t8-t9 small central disk protrusion it abuts the thoracic cord. T11 t12 left lateral disk protrusion that narrows the lateral recess and left neural foramina. I have had problems walking when sitting for long drives when i get out to walk its like learning how to walk again it is the weirdest experience. I have pain going down both legs to my toes sporatic at times on which leg it is in. I cant twist and bending hurts too. I have also recently been feeling like i have a bladder infection like pressure in my bladder and have been constipated too. If the bladder feeling doesnt go away by monday I will let dr know what is going on....Hopefully it has nothing to do with my back stuff. Do you know if my MRI sounds serious or very common....it sounds like what all of you are saying ...there really isn't anything u can do about this issue. I have had L4-L5 epideral 2x this yr so far and it hasn't helped. I am not a believer with these injections didn't help on my neck last yr i had 3 plus a nerve block and it hasnt helped on my back or neck.

[mandyjane46]

read you comments with interest as I have lateral T11-t12 prolapse and I get EXACTLY the same symptons .I completely understand the sensation of having to learn to walk again ,it is very strange.I also have a feeling that my bladder n ever empties fully and Im very constipated.
As to the answer..not sure yet.Had a time at one hospital where I was repeatedly told thoracic disc prolapses dont cause the leg weakness and was told it was in effect in my head...yet  EMG tests showed nerve damage to right leg and then  i was offered surgery to fix the prolapse!!!
i sought a   2nd opinion and thats been brilliant in that he was far more experienced and noted that I had other issues in thoracic region (scoliosis and laudosis and meningioma)
which wasnt helping.He referred me to a consultant  neurologist to check the extent of damage. he believes it will probably end in surgery but wants as much info as poss.You do need a very experienced guy for thoracic problems cos its risky stuff and surprisingly uncommon which means not many surgeons have the experience to tackle it.

Very good luck.when I know my outcome I will try to let you know as we seem to have a thoracic prolapse in common!
MJ

[Paul J Slosar]

The thoracic disc problems can cause some of the symtoms you are describing but only your examining doctor can correlate the picture with your physical exam.  If you have a disc in the thoracic spine that is pressing on the nerves and your symptoms are not improving you may need to consider a surgery to remove the pressure.
Make sure you see a spine surgeon with experience in this area.
Good luck.

[mandyjane46]

Just to say hi Angela . Im still hear..still waiting for the next stage...dear god ..its hard to be patient sometimes.thinking about you and hoping youve found the right guy.
are you ok? Drop me a line if you wanna.
MJ

[mandyjane46]

Hope u r ok and the 2nd opinion went fine.
MJ

[mandyjane46]

how did it go....how did it go with dr re 2nd opinion...left a message for  arizona neuro guys on thoracic site..as i googled it and its a minefield.partly cos my geography is soo bad ..couldnt tell  closenss of everything... hope all is ok. My primary dr is fine but very much into...everything has psychological basis so it was hard work convincing her to refer me on...but im glad I did..just gotta wait now..for next step..on Friday...god all this waiting eh
MJ

[mandyjane46]

im sorry to hear that(but not surprised) i spent ONE YEAR of my life being told that my leg problems could NOT be caused by the T12 injury...again and again. It was awful and for a time I began to wonder if I was imaginng it. i was referred to a pyschaitrist and then a nerve conduction study came back as showing nerve damage ..The consultant neurophysiologist at the time asked me if I had a prolapse as it correlated with the findings....then I was offered surgery by the original neuro guy!!!!!....well you didnt see me for dust...I wrote a polite but clear letter to the neuro guy and got a secound opinion. I live in England but I googled consultant neurosurgeons within a fair area and ound one who specifically dealt with spinal cord injuries and nerve damage. COMPLETELY different appraoch. I told him from day 1 about my concerns and previous findings and he basically told me that my symptoms were unusual but since I had other spinal weaknesses (scoliosis and laudosis and meningioma at injury site..not noted before...) it probably needed surgery but he wanted a consultant neurologist to check pattern of nerve damage. Im telling you all this because I want you to know that YOU KNOW YOUR OWN BODY...KEEP FIGHTING.....basically its specialist stuff and sadly not all neuro guys are specialist in all areas.Thats ok .I understand that but when they fail to consider this then thats not ok!!!!!
Ill google Arizona for ya but not sure what Ill find and how that fits in with you r insurance etc...but Ill give it a go
DONT YOU GIVE UP GIRL
sister in arms
MJ

[Angela295]

Hi,
Wow that is terrible, I know all it takes is one second and ur life changes.

Well I went to my surgeon, he basically dismissed the problems that were noted on MRI and said he felt I needed to continue therapy. He said he didn't agree with the Mri noting the mass effect on thoracic spine. When i explained my problems I was having with walking it was like he was confused. The entire time he acted like he was not understanding. I am frustrated. So I left there and called my primary dr for appt tomorrow and i am going to find another specialist for a 2nd opinion. I live in arizona and I need to do some research for one that specializes in thoracic problems. So I know my body and something is not right. I even told him that something is not right. Well that is it. if you live in az let me know if u know anybody.
Bye frustrated Angela

[mandyjane46]

I enjoy chatting to you.it makes me feel that despite my problems I can be of some comfort..howver little to some one else.
imglad you have a neuro guy you can trust.That makes all the difference.
What happened to me ? God I feel so stupid now. Id moved house,am a lone parent and decided to try to lift alot on my own to save money.Would you believe i actually balanced a large wooden chest across my back to get it from car to home.......the next day I was in agony....Id always been so strong and independent.It never crossed my mind that I was being stupid. how I wish I could turn back the clock now..As well as a T12 prolapse I also have some damage to C6 ...
Keep in touch Angela
be strong and I will to!
MJ

[Angela295]

Thanks mandyjane,

How strange that yours occured in june of 07 and mine began may 07. Last year I went to a neurosurgeon he was terrible said that it was a ligament in my neck. than i went for a second opinion because my neurologist and primary care did not agree. I found my current surgeon, he was so good he advised me of the issues and did  not agree with the issue with my neck and he had his opinion regarding my neck and sent me to get another opinion by another conservative dr. I went to him and he too advised that it was not a ligament and agreed to fusion c5c6. So thankfully I feel quite comfortable with my surgeon. I will let you know what he says. Thanks for chatting with me. It is nice to talk to someone who understands the pain and in a sad way but it is comforting to know someone actually understands!!!  

What happened in June of 07 that caused your pain?

Thanks so much for talking with me.

[mandyjane46]

Yes I know what you mean....I miss my life so badly as I used to be very sporty especially with my son. Ive had this problem since June 07 and  I have days when I have to fight my frustration at all the pain.
A focal mass effect sounds scary I agree but Im wondering if that means that the prolapse has the effect of a mass in thatits pressing on nerves? the word effect would calm me more than just the word focal mass. however the only way youll know is tomorrow when you see the guy. One thing I would say is dont be afraid to get a second opinion if ou are not happy.   In My experience   I had to see 3 neurosurgoens.The first jut brushed it off with pain relief and facet joint injections.the second thank God was really honest and explained how specialist the thoracic area was(and rare) and that it wasnt his remit.I was grateful for that because it explained why the first said he would not touch my thoracic region! the third has been great.I can talk to him and really trust his judgement. Im telling you this because you may find this yourself..be sure the guy has confidence and experience in this area. Its a tricky area. Also MRI scan cant always show everything ie I may have irritation of nerves on walking (thepain and disability increases after walking)..
Anyhow.keep in touch.Ill think of you and good luck
MJ

[Angela295]

Thanks for responding, I see my surgeon on Monday to review my MRI. I have lots of other things noted on my mri too with regards to my lumbar. I am confused by the MRI noting focal mass effect on thoracic cord...that doesnt make sense to me. It sounds like a mass on my spinal cord...but i'm not sure. I wake up in the am with extreme pain so hard to move. When i lay down my legs have a feeling of restlessness they ache and shooting pains thru both legs along with tingling on and off at times. I am honestly thinking that my medication is causing the constipation as I am on percocet and soma which soma is ridiculous cuz it doesnt do a thing for me, but i am afraid to say anything cuz i am afraid of stronger medications but something has to give!!! This has been going on for over 1-1/2yrs. I have an sacrial joint injection in Oct. I had a epideral injection on L4L5 in Aug and it didnt do anything for me. Anyway I will let you know what dr says on Monday. My physical therapist is also concerned she is also anxious of what can be done to help me. I would love to have my quality of life back!!!

[Angela295]

thanks for responding paul, But can  u clarify the mri report on the t7 t8 t8 t9 is there compression on my spinal cord in the thoracic?