Arachoiditis

[darlin]

Dear Doctor, I

[lanzarote1960]

my father died with condition of constrictive arachnoiditis,he was only 51 and had suffered with his back , since the age of 21, and although we read every thing we possibly could when he was alive , he died in 1991 . i still would like to know more ,as the medical profession has progressed, i feel , more information is now available. i really want to understand this condition if you do have any information you think would help me , i would be grayeful if you would e mail me ***@**** yours faithfully debbie lee

[CCF-Neuro-M.D.-JT]

I read our previous communication from Oct 30 regarding your problem. You do need to be further evaluated, but MRI may be the better option for you rather than a CT myelogram.  SOme of the dyes they use in myelograms are well known to cause arachnoiditis in itself due to irritation.So I completely understand your concern as you may be putting yourself at risk for further damage.
  I agree that you should consider getting a second opinion from a top spine specialist such as Ed Benzel, M.D. at the Cleveland CLinic who happens to be one of the country's best. Ian Kalfas is also good.  Unfortunately, the first visit will have to be in person preferrably with your old films. But they will likely recommend either an MRI or if they feel that the hardware in your spine will make the MRI too hard to interpret, then  yes perhaps a CT myelogram. However, we would of course wnat you to have it done at the CLeveland Clinic where they have outstanding interventional radiologists who do these all the time. Bottom line: get the second opinion here and get your workup here, too.
Best of luck.