My cine MRI study

[seamatty]

Tonsillar herniation approx 3 mm below basion/ophthison line. Questionable Minimally attenuated CSF flow at dorsal aspect of foreman magnum...

Anyone know what this means?

2 chiari specialist have told me I'm not surgical but my pressure throbbing back of head stuff is back again (cycles). Any input would be great for those experts on here. I'm impressed with how much I learn being on this

Thanks

[billyz123]

Hey seamatty,
  I'm sorry you're having such a hard time, I know how discouraging this can all be. My first thought when reading your post was, Don't worry about what radiologists think or say... yet. I mean at some point in the future everybody will understand what they are looking at on scans but definitely not yet. For now, radiologists have opinions.
  Was Dr. Ellenbogen really dismissing your entire case based on the results of the CineMRI? CSF flow is very complicated subject and I'm not sure that it's usually used as a way of diagnosing someone with CM. I've never had one and TCI has approved me for surgery already.
  Would you mind sharing any MRI pictures? This video may be helpful for you:   ( http://vimeo.com/38189654 ).
  Let me know if it's easier for you to download this and I can just send it to you somehow.

[sunnyset]

the dr from WI is probably my NS- dr iskandar. i have cycles of of occipital headaches, too, and he did tell me that if i didn't have a syrinx, he wouldn't have recommended surgery just for my chiari alone.

[selmaS]

  No idea, as I was reading I was thinking CSF leak...but they looked for that...hmmm

  Did they try Diamox for u?

[seamatty]

Yes dr e was the one who said no surgery.

My symptoms have pretty well been the same for 12 years. Except headache that worsened after LP in 2008 and my herniation went from 1 mm to 3 mm. That is when all my chiari headaches started. Pressure comes and goes - sometimes I forget I have thus. But when it comes...bam! And pressure lasts for weeks to months usually

I had very intricate mris of the whole spine - more detailed than most as I had a normal Mri and an mr mylegram in 2010 to rule out CSF leak by a specialist in California. No syrinx and no indication of a tethered cord.

I feel I have no where else to go??? Any advice after reading this?

[selmaS]

  I know some time ago DrO stopped seeing patients with  herniations less then 5mm as a way to keep his patient #'s at a workable size.....

Have ur symptoms changed in the 3 months?

  Which of the NS's said they would not do surgery...Dr E?

Did u have MRI's of ur complete spine to rule out tethered cord, and a syrinx?

  My only other thoughts r that u had a change occur.

[seamatty]

What are your thoughts? I also saw dr Di who thought his minimally invasive surgery would help me (he is now retired with his own health problems).

[seamatty]

Saw them 3 months ago - MRI with cine was from 11/23 and the report was from the radiologist

He told me he thought my herniation was 2mm at the most and he said it looked like I had 'room' in my head. He was very nice but told me confidently that he is one of the foremost writers on the subject of chiari and he said if anybody tries to cut you open with how this looks...run! He said I'm not 100% sure you have chiari but he said I am 100% sure I wouldn't do surgery on you with how this looks.

[selmaS]

   How long ago did they see u? And how long ago were the MRI's they viewed...and is the report mentioned above from ur visit with them?

[seamatty]

Dr ellenbogen from UW... I think he along with dr Oro a dr from Wisconsin and a couple others are on the board of ASAP. He is at university of WA

In my appt he said the attenuation was ever so slight...this is why the radiologist said it was questionable and mild at that.

What are your thoughts Selma?

[selmaS]

  attenuated  = gradual loss; weaken  or reduce in force.

  So the CSF flow is less at the foreman magnum where most of us do have  an issue.

I hate to ask, but who were these chiari specialists?