Minimal gliotic foci??

[sleepypea]

I went yesterday for a new MRI to see if I had progressed or changed. It was noted on my MRI back in Sept. 2010 that I had a 5-6 mm tonsillar ectopia. Of course I have received the Chiari run around every since. Non the less I decided to get a new MRI. I picked up the results today and here are a few of the things noted. On Brain findings the only thing I'm concerned about is in the cerebral hemispheres there are minimal gliotic foci in the deep white matter. Does anyone know what that may suggest?

As far as the Chiari they still refuse to call it a Chiari 1 malformation instead its noted as being 7-8mm tonsillar ectopia otherwise normal MRI of the brain.

I also had my C-spine done and it was read by another Dr. He noted a bulge and mild ddd at C-5-6. This is the disc above where I had a fusion in 2006.

He also notes the tonsillar ectopia but says they are not triangular shaped which is typical for a C 1 M....

I am a little concerned about the gliotic foci. I have done some research on it and haven't found too much about it except it appears to be a scar or scars caused from a CNS attack. Issues with MS and other similar conditions can cause it. Has anyone else ever seen this on their MRI report? If so what did your Dr. say about it?

Thanks

[selmaS]

    A loss of the cervical curvature is called hypolordosis.....so yup, pretty much.

[sleepypea]

Hi Selma, you mentioned loss of cervical lordosis. I was reading back over the report and I noticed that he does say there is hypolordotic curvature....Is that the same thing I wonder??

[sleepypea]

Thanks Selma,

I will do that right now (:

[selmaS]

I do not drive bcuz of that too....and a few other reasons...but the depth perception is critical in driving.

Ask if a PT could help u with some muscle massage etc....of the shoulders...the whip lash if left untreated just takes the muscles and twists them and causes some of the worst pain...it can actually push ur odontoid into ur brain stem further....ouch....which I experienced...
Post a thread who saw Dr Green...someone here just saw him and loved him.....

The ones that say bad things about chiari drs expect to be healed...those that actually listen to what they can really do, and the possible set backs would not hold those set backs on the Dr unless it was something they did incorrectly...but surgery is a gamble, and there is no way to know in advance what the outcome is going to be.

  If u need help with transport to the visit- check out the links page in the Health Pages for info on free air flights to Dr appointments.

  U may want to reconsider driving...just to be safe : )

    "selma"

[sleepypea]

It doesn't mention it on my MRI report, but I have had whiplash in the past from the knee board accident that caused my original neck issue.

I have thought about seeking an opinion from Dr. Green, but it would be an 800 mile round trip and I've heard good and bad about him. I am going to call his office and see if I can send him a copy of my MRI before I make that trip. Driving is very difficult for me as I have no depth perception and can get confused as to how fast others are traveling so I either pull out in front of them or sit at a stop until it's completely clear.

[selmaS]

  Another question- do u have loss of ur cervical lordosis?...whip lash?...if so, a good PT may be of help....

I wonder if they feel ur Chiari could be acquired?

  Did u try Dr Barth Green in Miami?

    "selma"

[sleepypea]

Hi Selma,
It doesn't mention anything about demylation.

I had whiplash from a knee board accident that caused my neck problems back in 1998. I waited 8 years to have the surgery to fix it because I was scared. It was 8 years of pure agony.

After the fusion in 2006 I felt so much better then in 2007 I started going down hill with all these headaches and other symptoms.

I have had minor MVA over the years, but non that have sent me to the ER. I was hit really hard in the rear which totaled my vehicle around this time(2007), but didn't seek medical treatment because I seemed to be ok.....

I looked back at a MRI I had before my fusion in 06 and I can see the "ectopia" then, but it wasn't noted.

I have a very young NS who does classify me as having Chiari and says he will preform PFD surgery if I think the benefits will out weigh the risk. I haven't been back because I'm once again scared. He's not a Chiari specialist. I ask my reg. PCP to order this MRI so I could see for myself if anything had changed.

I just don't know what to do. I can't find a specialist in FL that will take my Ins. My Ins.won't cover me to travel out of state. I feel desperate, but have a feeling this NS isn't the right one to do this.

It does appear I have a little room around my brain stem. The CINE MRI I had done in Oct. showed the only area void of flow was in the 4th ventricle which my NS said was fine...

[selmaS]

  Hi...it doesn't say nething about demylation? does it?

  It can mean so much it all depends on the person that wrote the report and his use of the word it could just mean it shows signs of damage to the CNS and that could be from HA's....and it could be something totally diff......

The NS will review the films and make their own assessment...and many times do not read the reports....so, do make a point to ask ur dr about it if he does not mention it.

And please refresh my memory, did u have a MVA?....or an injury of some sort?


"selma"