MRI image, herniation size

[bledpub]

I finally got my MRI disk and figured out how to open it. My herniation does not appear to be very large at all. I have uploaded the images on here. Anyone care to take a gander at it? To me, it looks like it might be around a 5. Definitely not what I was expecting.

[bledpub]

No prob. Doesn't look like this is an issue for me. Just curious. Thanks for the info!

[billyz123]

great links, thanks selmaS :-)

And to bledpub...
unless a dr. says something to you about you having an issue with your odontoid , don't even worry about it :) . It's kind of a scary situation.

[selmaS]

  I have a link posted as a comment with this pic, be advised it does show a small clip of an actual surgery, if u do not like that they do give advance notice they r going to watch a clip so u can divert ur eyes, but this is a conference of Chiari Drs talking about cervical instability and the odontoid.
The odontoid if retroflexed can cause the opening to be tighter, so even the the smallest of herniation's will clog CSF flow.


   http://www.medhelp.org/user_photos/show/253817?personal_page_id=197028&photo_collection_id=20895

[bledpub]

Thanks for checking them out. What problems can be caused with the odontoid?

[billyz123]

I looked at your MRI's and you are definitely, to quote Selma, "corked up" :)

I mean there is a lot of cerebellum there and there is definitely herniation. The tonsils can be different shapes and sizes, and in different positions so it's good that you uploaded multiple slices... but any one of those pictures, it's pretty obvious you need some help. Luckily your odontoid looks straight so you're avoiding a lot of issues there :-) Like Selma said, it's not about the length of the herniation... it's more about the size of skull being to small for the brain, specifically in the cerebellum area. Best of luck with everything<3

[bledpub]

They're all doing pretty well. There is an informal Chiari support group in my area. My friend is putting together an official one with the hospitals here so I hope to speak to more, too. I had no idea I knew so many people who it until I announced on FB that I did. They all seemed to come out of the woodwork then.

[selmaS]

  Well Dr Tew is well known in chiari circles...so u have a good place to go.....

That is amazing that u met 5 people that had surgery already.....I was not that fortunate...I did meet people via the internet....but, it is great that u met people that r post op.

  How r they doing?

[bledpub]

There isn't a place in TN that will accept my insurance. The three KY Medicaid providers are Coventry, KY Spirit, and KY Wellness. If anyone is trying to figure out which one to choose, go with Coventry. It's the most widely accepted and you don't have to have a referral to see a specialist.

I am going to go to Cincinnati (about 2 hours away) and see Dr. Tew. The University of KY Hospital has some surgeons on staff who have done decompressions and dealt with Chiari but I wouldn't call them specialists. UK care can be hit or miss. A new doctor, Dr. Choutka, just transferred to Ashland and he comes with very high references in the Chiari community. I have personally met 5 people who have had decompressions under him and he's done some studies and reports on it. If Dr. Tew doesn't work for me then he will be my next stop.

[selmaS]

  I just looked we do not have a Dr listed for KY...but I thought someone else is down that way and mentioned a Dr....not sure how that worked out since the name was not added .

  I know we have Drs in TN...but that will not help u.....

What is Coventry?

[bledpub]

I'm in Kentucky. Apparently, KY Spirit is the one that nobody wants to take, although I've run into some problems with Coventry, too.

[selmaS]

  OIC...sorry.....may I ask what state u r in?

  

[bledpub]

It's Medicaid. Only, in my state Medicaid went to three different providers back in November. Nobody wanted to take the one they gave me by default. I've had to change but it won't go into effect until April 1st. Even with that in mind, my PCP was supposed to send me a referral to a neurosurgeon back in January. They still haven't. They say they are understaffed and haven't gotten to it yet. Since the specialist will take me in April I went over to the PCP today and got my records and faxed them in to the specialist myself. They said they should be able to get me in around the first week of April.

[selmaS]

  No fun...I think we all have been made to jump thru hoops....

   Do u have a HMO?

[bledpub]

I'm getting an insurance runaround. So no, not yet.

[selmaS]

  So u haven't been to a NS yet?

Once u do they should show u the MRI and explain it all, this is how I picked up on what to look for and how they should look......

I know how u feel doing all the research....keep asking questions and pushing for answers this is the way to make sure u get the best care : )

[bledpub]

No worries about the professional bit. Just looking for an opinion. I've read just about everything I can about the different things it can cause and how it can affect the body. I've pretty much been osbsessed with Chiari research over the past month. But this is the first time I've seen my MRI.

[selmaS]

  It is not always the size or length of the herniation but the over crowding and obstruction of CSF that is more of an issue.

U want to know do u have a syrinx, do u have ne of the related issues...PTC, tethered cord, disk issues,ehlers-danlos,sleep apnea,

My herniation was 4mm on one side and 6mm on the other so not large by ne standard.....but I have a retroflexed odontoid which causes over crowding making the flow of CSF near impossible....

  U also need to know how this is impacting ur over all Health.

   "selma"

I will take a look...but not being a medical professional I can't tell if u have  a CSF issue.