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Post surgery Chiari headaches (CSF pressure)
What tests should I have done if I still have CSF pressure headaches after surgery (5 yrs)? A normal MRI of the brain doesn't seem to show anything and I am not faking these headaches. They are exactly like the ones before surgery only not as intense. They cause pain 24/7. Someone suggested a T3 MRI...what is that and what are your thoughts on other tests? Thank you.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Thank you for your question. Although without being able to examine you I can not offer you the specific advice on diagnosis and treatment that you need, but I would try to provide you some relevant information about your health concern.
CSF leak or spinal headache usually resolves within few days or week as many of the causes of leak go away on their own after a few days. Complete bed rest or blood patches for several days are usually recommended. Therefore, I do not foresee your continuous headache even after three years is due to CSF leak. Other possibilities like migrainous, cluster and tension type headache that may occur after an injury/neurological disorder and need to be evaluated thoroughly with the help of a neurologist here. Migraine like headache can be throbbing, one sided of face & head and preceded by aura (starts with blurred vision). Cluster headache may appear as burning, explosive in nature and tear appears from eyes. Therefore, it will be best to consult a neurologist to find out the nature of headache in order to start the appropriate treatment. Hope this helps.
CSF leak or spinal headache usually resolves within few days or week as many of the causes of leak go away on their own after a few days. Complete bed rest or blood patches for several days are usually recommended. Therefore, I do not foresee your continuous headache even after three years is due to CSF leak. Other possibilities like migrainous, cluster and tension type headache that may occur after an injury/neurological disorder and need to be evaluated thoroughly with the help of a neurologist here. Migraine like headache can be throbbing, one sided of face & head and preceded by aura (starts with blurred vision). Cluster headache may appear as burning, explosive in nature and tear appears from eyes. Therefore, it will be best to consult a neurologist to find out the nature of headache in order to start the appropriate treatment. Hope this helps.
Hi...I am a fellow chiarian post op not quite a yr...so u have a bit more time in than myself....but I would ask if u were ever looked at for tethered cord or a syrnx? Either of these can cause issues....plus, have they done a LP on u to see if u r having CSF build up.
A cervical, thoracic and lumbar MRI should have been done......
May I ask how long post op b4 these HA's started......
We have a chiari forum here on Medhelp http://www.medhelp.org/forums/Chiari-Malformation/show/257 I hope u join us...we have a great group that share info, experiences and support : )
"selma"
A cervical, thoracic and lumbar MRI should have been done......
May I ask how long post op b4 these HA's started......
We have a chiari forum here on Medhelp http://www.medhelp.org/forums/Chiari-Malformation/show/257 I hope u join us...we have a great group that share info, experiences and support : )
"selma"
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