New Doctor?

[imfrustrated1978]

I got my MRI results yesterday and it states that the cellebellar tonsils extend through the level of the foramen magnum, bilaterall, measuring approx. 6mm on the right and 5 mm on the left.  The posterior fossa does not appear abnormally small. No hydrocephalus.

Associated with the pineal gland, an oblong lesion measuring 1cm.  This finding follows signal intensity of CSF other than a thin septation centrally in a near coronal plane.

Prominence of the CSF space within the sella turcica with a flat appearance of the superior margin of the pituitary gland.

I have alot of problems but my main problem is daily headaches and alot of neck pain.  When I went to my doctor yesterday he just kind of shrugged off these test results and said we would do a contrast in about 3 months but other than that didnt do anything different to help me relieve my symptoms.  I am currently take 200 mg Topomax daily but they don't seem to help much.  Do you think I may need to go foward with a second opinion?
I read a little bit about some of this wording from the MRI but I am not a doctor so I don't know if I am reading stuff correctly and don't want to worry for nothing.

[imkeko]

Hello. I would definitely find a Chiari specialist near you. It is good news that there is no hydrocephalus (water on the brain), but there are other tests that should be done at this point. If the Dr. you are seeing now doesn't understand Chiari, or isn't going to pursue this for you, you need to find a doctor that is going to help you. Just be sure that they are a Chiari specialist. :)
I take Topamax as well. It doesn't do much for my headaches either, but from what my Dr says, the idea is it reduces the amount of CSF my body makes, so there is less pressure in my head.

Best of luck.
Keko

[selmaS]

  Hi...it sounds like u may have low lying tonsils and an empty sella and a pituitary cyst.

Although the posteria fossa is not small, the cerebral tonsils are herniated and can cause a CSF obstruction and many symptoms.

U may want to see if u have an obstruction and ne issues with ur odontoid.

Get copies of ur MRI and get another opinion....

We do have a forum for those with Chiari Malformation...

http://www.medhelp.org/forums/show/257?camp=msc