Fibro/MS/ Chiari Mal-formation

[bdm92]

My neuro surgeon wanted to do an mri of the brain and cervical region, since after my cervical fusion I have had all over pain and fatigue, among a number of other symptoms, and have been diagnosed with fibro by two different rheumatologists (secondary to the cervical fusion).
Well my brian mri showed subcortical cereebral whtie matter signal alteration, intralateral portion of the right frontal lobe, 4mm diameter, this can be seen with migranes, post viralsequelae, vasculopathy such as vasculitis or demyelinating such as MS.
Also low grade deep bilateral parietal/periventricular cerebral white matter signal alteration evident on Flair image, about the upper portions of the trigones and posterior bodies of lateral ventricles, also could have PRES (posterior reversible encephalopathy.
Also have a mild Chiari mal-formation, cerebellar tonsils appearing caudally displaced about 7mm below the foramen magnum margin, there does apear to be some mild crowding at the foramen magnum, by the tonsils and brainstem

Cervical mri
c3 4 mild DDD
4-5 moderate ddd, slight retroilsthesis, diffusely bulging annulus, Mild right frontal stenosis suggested
c5-6 solid fusion
C6-7 Moderate DDD some disc narrowing, small right paracentral/right posterolateral disc hernation, also suggests some oderat left formanila stenosis,
C7-T1 normal
T1-T2 mild DDD disc protrusion.

So any way I do not know what to think, My motheres sister has MS, she tells me they will probably want to due a Spinal Tap, if any of you have read my posts before you know that I had a VERY VERY bad experience with a lumbar puncture before, I seriuosly do not know if I can do that again, I still am i pain from it and it has been over a year since my last one.
And this Chiari thing is a bit scary also.
So I am wandering do I have fibro or is it all coming from one of these other possibilities?
But I had this cervical fusion in March and this is when the symptoms realy started, so surly it is from the surgery and not one of the other thing??????

Any Ideas??

bdm92  

[selmaS]

me either...I had an epidoral during childbirth and got the headaches......they lasted over 5 days.....it was so horrible.

"selma"

[bdm92]

Oh now that sounds a little better, I never want to put another needle in my spine ever again!!

Thanks
bdm92

[selmaS]

Cine MRI (as in cinema) is taken the same way a traditional MRI is, with the addition of either a wristband or EKG leads on the patient's chest to measure the heart rate. Each time your heart beats, the cerebrospinal fluid is forced out of your brain, down toward the spine in response to the flow of blood that enters the brain with each beat. The MRI machine is equipped with an additional software package that allows the images to be put together, showing the flow of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) as it is moving.
This does not mention the use of dye.

"selma"

[bdm92]

My mri was of the brain and neck only.

That CINE mri sounds alot like a myelogram, where they put dye in your spinal fluid.

bdm92

[selmaS]

I PM'd u a drs name in ur area...he works with children, but is well known in the chiari arena.....he can get u to an expert in ur area.

A CINE MRI is a flow study of spinal fluid...to look for a blockage.

was ur MRI of ur complete spine?

"selma"

[bdm92]

I live in southern IL.  

My fusion was done due to a herniated disc, that caused me arm and hand pain also numbness.

Not sure what a CINE MRI is?

bdm92

[selmaS]

I know how worried u r......and u can have both fibro and chiari.....both conditions have been misdx'd .What area of the country, asuming u live in the states, do u live.U need a chiari expert, wether or not it is chiari.....with ur fusion....y was it done.....did they do a CINE MRI?.......I will be in touch via a PM.

Good luck
Godspeed
"selma"

[PlateletGal]

Hi ! I know our member selma has chiari malformation and she will probably respond to your post.

I have read that many MS patients have a low uric acid level (blood test). You may want to consider asking your physician about getting that test. I would also consider posting your MRI results in the MS forum and see what the members there have to say.