Could I have chiari malformation?

[Stroud5393]

I’ve been dealing with ongoing symptoms for years that have progressed. I deal with daily brain fog lightheaded spells blurry vision off and on horrible short term memory loss fatigue unsteady when walking sometimes and shortness of breath. I’ve had tons of tests done including mri and no diagnosis... Is there a way I can post a picture of the mri?

[Stroud5393]

Could my shortness of breath be due to brain stem compression? I’m also constantly lightheaded now too

[Stroud5393]

I had another mri of my brain and cervical spine 2 months ago in the er which was normal according to the report.  Wouldn’t you think they would have saw it on the cervical mri? Here are the reports.

EXAMINATION: MRI BRAIN & STEM WO CONT, 3/20/2018 10:20 AM, MR180009127
CLINICAL INFORMATION: Loss of fine motor skills, facial numbness, tremors
COMPARISON: None
TECHNIQUE: Multiplanar/multisequence imaging of the brain was performed without intravenous contrast.
FINDINGS: There is no restricted diffusion to suggest acute ischemia. There is normal appearing anatomy at the craniocervical junction. FLAIR imaging demonstrates no focal parenchymal signal abnormality. There is no midline shift. Normal void signal is present in the internal carotid and basilar arteries. There is no evidence of recent hemorrhage or a mass. The visualized paranasal sinuses and mastoid air cells are clear.

EXAMINATION: MRI SPINE CERV WO CONT, 3/20/2018 10:20 AM, MR180009128
COMPARISON: None
TECHNIQUE: Multiple pulse sequences were performed in the sagittal and axial imaging planes without contrast.
FINDINGS: The cervical vertebral column demonstrates normal vertebral body height overall marrow signal and alignment without fracture or listhesis. Disk spaces are well preserved. The cervical cord is intrinsically normal. Cerebellar tonsils are in a normal anatomic position.
C2-C3: No focal disk herniation, canal stenosis, or foraminal narrowing.
C3-C4: There is a minimal left uncovertebral joint hypertrophy. No significant foraminal narrowing or central canal narrowing.
C4-C5: No focal disk herniation, canal stenosis, or foraminal narrowing.
C5-C6: No focal disk herniation, canal stenosis, or foraminal narrowing.
C6-C7: There is very mild posterior disc osteophyte complex which is not cause significant central canal or foraminal narrowing.
C7-T1: No focal disk herniation, canal stenosis, or foraminal narrowing.
The facet articulations throughout the cervical spine are grossly normal in appearance.
IMPRESSION: Minimal cervical degenerative change without significant central canal or foraminal narrowing. Normal appearance of the spinal cord.

[Stroud5393]

From my understanding the brain stem should be completely straight right? In basilar invagination it bends forward I believe. If you look at the picture of my mri it’s bent down... I’m so lost at what to do I know something is wrong with my brain structure or something. I have daily head pressure and pain in the back of my head, near faint spells, and the smothering sensations making me feel breathless.  

[selmaS]

I understand your frustratons here....I really do. It has been painfully aware to me when I had MRI's done in the past that some radiologists only look for what they are asked to look for, when one found my Chiari I was told he was being over zealous and looking in areas she didn't need to look..Thanks God he did! So, the fact remains those that looked at your MRI are not qualified to recognize or know to look for things like Basilar invagnation....yes the brain stem should be straight....any bending or kinking of it can indicate issues for sure....
Many of the true Chiari specialists will review your MRI and some even do skype reviews with you....some may charge a small fee for this while others do it free...(with the prospect of you being a future patient)
My best suggestion is to find a Dr that is a Chiari specialist that you can travel to and your INS will work with to get the answers you need.

[Stroud5393]

Selma thank you for all your help I truly appreciate it.... My biggest problem right now is I have no health insurance which makes everything really difficult :(. I’m currently going to a clinic that accepts patients with no insurance. I’ve mentioned to the doctor I’ve been seeing there about chiari and he just totally shoots that idea down. My only Chance at this point would be for him to refer me. I mentioned at least needing to see a neurologist and he just don’t think I need to see one despite my daily headaches head pressure lightheadedness and breathing issues...

[selmaS]

I do understand the no INS issue....One of the Chiari specialists I saw said that those without INS should go to the Hosital these specialists are affiliated with through the clinics as they most likely will see one of them as opposed to just a NL or NS on staff.

[Stroud5393]

I’ve been to the hospital he’s affiliated with but how would I get to see him? The er doctor just runs blood work and at the most does a ct scan and send me home.

[selmaS]

From what I understand they too cover the ER or clinic's ....not sure how you end  up with one unless the attending ER Dr calls on them for additional help.

[Stroud5393]

I also found out a month ago my testosterone was really low, which my doctor ran other blood work trying to find a cause. If a have a basilar invagination couldn’t it flatten my pituitary gland causing the low testosterone? I am seeing a endocrinologist in 3 weeks about the testosterone maybe he will refer me to a neurosurgeon..

[selmaS]

It is possible to have the pituitary gland affected so any hormone level could be altered....hopefully you will get to a NS but not just any NS.....one well informed and experienced with these issues/conditions. Fingers Crossed.

[Stroud5393]

There is one neurosurgeon in Memphis by the name of Kenan Arnautovic at Semmes Murphey clinic that has chiari in his specialties I wish I could see him somehow but they require a referral..

[Stroud5393]

Selma it wouldn’t let me message you back. Do you know of any specialist near Memphis?

[selmaS]

you need to accept my friend request.....then it should work....I will look at our list, BUT you still need to research all the Drs as I add Drs that members report they have been to, treated by and liked..and I also remove Drs from the list if we get too many PM's telling us  bad experiences that land on the Dr........

[selmaS]

Here is the list for the state of TN....this list is not a referral nor an endorsement for those listed it is just a starting place to research Dr....the list is compiled by members here of Drs they have been to, treated by and liked......

Be advised you may have to travel.

TENNESSEE

Dr. Stephanie Einhaus
Semmes Murphy Clinic
Mephis, TN

Dr. Carl Hampf
Baptist Hospital
Nashville, Tennessee
800-668-9410
[phone]

Dr Reid Thompson
Vanderbilt Hospital
Nashville, Tennessee

Dr. Cheng
Vanderbilt Hospital
Nashville, Tennessee

Dr. Samuel Hunter
Nashville, Tennessee

University of Tennessee
Dr. William Snyder Jr, MD
Neurosurgical Associates
1932 Alcoa Hwy Suite 255
Knoxville, TN 37920
[phone] (Office)