Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
700067 tn?1332989283

CT scan-helpful?

I went in to the PCP today because my pain has gotten worse and this morning I lost control of my bowels. (I am still waiting to see the Chiari specialist.) She sent me over to the hospital for a CT scan and it came back "normal." I know that most people have MRIs and the Cine Flow MRI. Can a CT scan really be helpful? I was hoping she would get me a MRI of my spine since so far I've only had my brain looked at.

She did give me gab for the pain. We'll see if that does anything.
8 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
700067 tn?1332989283
Thank you for the comment. I am seeing Dr. Tew and that is the soonest he can get me in. There are no other specialists in my state and the only other doc that has experience with Chiari doesn't take my insurance. Since I have Medicaid there aren't many out of state that accept it. I'm just lucky that Dr. Tew does.

I'm going to take it easy for the next few weeks. The Gab seemed to help a little today, although it's made me tired. Of course, i already felt fatigued so no change in that. :-)
Helpful - 0
1996562 tn?1330337839
call that specialist that you have an appointmemt with and see if they can get you in sooner or recommend somebody else that can get you in sooner.

There is a slight chance that many of those symptoms will go away or become tolerable if you just sit comfortably and really try to relax your muscles especially in your neck. I would recommend a recliner or some position like that where you can really relax. This all depends on your actual anatomy, so maybe even lying flat on your back my help but it doesn't for me. Just definitely stop doing things like lifting and bending, you know, like chores around the house and stuff like that. I really hope you find the help you need<3
Helpful - 0
700067 tn?1332989283
I have no idea why she sent me to get the CT scan. My whole left side has been extremely painful and my back has gone almost completely numb. It's hard to use my hand. She thinks I have a syrinx. Why she didn't send me for a spinal MRI is beyond me. I'm also having almost debilitating headaches now and a constant wooshing sound in my ears. Plus, I now have what I can only refer to as a "dead spot" in my right eye and can't see out of it. My balance is completely off and I can't carry my baby because I keep falling. Carrying her would be out of the question anyway since my left side is so weak I have no use of that arm or hand.

I HAVE been referred to a specialist. My appointment isn't for another 5 weeks.
Helpful - 0
1996562 tn?1330337839
I don't know why your PCP sent you straight to get a CT scan. They should have referred you to a specialist. Has this become a frequent symptom? CT scans show mostly bones depending on the contrast. What exactly were they looking for? If the radiologist didn't know exactly what they were looking for that person may have missed it.
Helpful - 0
2073947 tn?1333731698
When I had my CT scan for my concussion, that's when the figured out that I have "significant" Chiari 1 Malformation and was immediately referred to a neurologist. And although no one around here seems to know how to communicate very well, or make sure that they are giving me the correct information, my NL ordered a head and neck MRI to get a clearer understanding of what is going on.

MRIs give clearer pics of the soft tissue than a CT scan and CT scans seem to show more bony structure detail than an MRI does.
Helpful - 0
700067 tn?1332989283
That's what I was hoping she would do. She suspects a syrinx but said that on the brain CT scan if I had a syrinx it would show up by making the ventricle swollen (or something).

How can the MRI (like the images I have posted here on my profile) show Chiari but the CT not?
Helpful - 0
620923 tn?1452915648
COMMUNITY LEADER

  Keep in mind when u go in many of these Drs and radiologist r giving an opinion...and if this is not their area of expertise then u may not get ne info on ur chiari at all.

Med schools were teaching old out dated info and many Drs were not given the  latest research findings on how chiari can affect a patient or how to classify it.

  Too many do not acknowledge it in reports at all as they consider it an incidental finding.....

  With the bowel issues I would suggest u get a full spine MRI...Cervical, thoracic and lumbar, the lumbar to check for a syrinx and tethered cord...the thoracic and cervical for a syrinx...and all 3 for disk issues.

Helpful - 0
1968463 tn?1374757813
Mine showed on a CT scan, but I thnk that is only because they had it in my records, becuase all it said was consostent with patients known history of Chiari Malformation. Follow up with MRI recommended. ( they never did the MRI that night) GRR. I hope that the Gaba helps you. I have been on it for the last three months and it has helped me, My doctor had me step it up 100 mg at a time now I take 300 mg 3x a day. I have noticed that the all over hurt has decreased. Try to keep it in your system though because it isnt fasst acting, It will take a few doses toget it into your system and working. At least that is what my doctor told me and it worked well. Good luck to you and I hope it getrs better for you.
Helpful - 0
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Chiari Malformation Community

Top Neurology Answerers
620923 tn?1452915648
Allentown, PA
987762 tn?1671273328
Australia
1756321 tn?1547095325
Queensland, Australia
Learn About Top Answerers
Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
Find out how beta-blocker eye drops show promising results for acute migraine relief.
In this special Missouri Medicine report, doctors examine advances in diagnosis and treatment of this devastating and costly neurodegenerative disease.
Here are 12 simple – and fun! – ways to boost your brainpower.
Discover some of the causes of dizziness and how to treat it.
Discover the common causes of headaches and how to treat headache pain.
Two of the largest studies on Alzheimer’s have yielded new clues about the disease