[hmarie18]

Hi everyone...I just posted a few of my mri images....I need some help, can anyone tell me what a few things are in the pics?...Im having a hard time and need some help...thanks... click on my profile and you should be able to veiw the pics.... the mri was done after my awful cervical steroid epidural experience...thanks again for any help!!!

[Leesa]

Do you have the written report from the MRI -- it's easier to read that than to read the actual MRI. We can help you decipher the report. But reading the MRI itself can be hard because we're not really traiined in that.

We know the terminology used in the report, so that's how we can interpret the report. Do you have the written report? You CAN get a copy of it. You are entitled to it. They should have given it to you with the films.

If you have it, just type it here, and we can help. Hugs, Lee

[hmarie18]

thanks leesa,

The report was awful! they said due to motion artifact of the mid-cervical spine the images were obscured, therefore the mid cervical spine is MOST LIKELY normal... that is my problem area, I dont see how they can assume that since they are saying they cant see it, especially considering I have the images and I can clearly see a few issues! The only thing they said they could see was ventral remodeling of the cervical cord at c56 level....I posted a picture of the c56 level slice... Also they said there were no other interval changes from my previous mri, which was protruding disc at c56 that contacts the cervical cord and further reduces diameter to 7mm, as well as a bulging disc at c67 that does not contact the cord....

If you read some of my recent posts you will see what has happened to me after my injection that I feel went terribly wrong, and Im trying to find out if the needle went into my cord, or punctured it... Im wondering if that is why my cord is remodeled at that level...I can not really find any info anywhere about ventral remodeling of the cervical cord....Only thing I have found is remodeling of the spinal cord due to spinal cord injury... and syrinx's...Ive seen images of mri's with these problems and have been trying to compare my images... Ide like to hear others thoughts and opinons or advice or whatever you can offer....thanks for taking the time to help me! I appreciate it!!!

[Leesa]

Anything that "remodels" the spinal cord can be serious. Plus, the C5-6 that reduces the spinal cord to 7mm is nothing to SNEEZE at. I would DEFINITELY get another opinion!!! Something isn't right here, and I'm not sure what's going on, but it sounds like you have good reason for pain!

I would get a referral to another NEUROSURGEON, or call one myself!!1 Take your films AND the report, and see another one. I think something's wrong here. I'm NO DOCTOR, but the cord shouldn't be reduced to 7mm from what I've read.

Best of luck and PLEASE -- will you let me know what the other doctor says? I'd really like to know. Big hugs, Lee

[hmarie18]

Ok, I got a new mri with and without contrast...these are the findings...

cerebellar tonsils extend through the foramen magnum compatible with cerebellar tonsillar ectopia.

no evidence of a syrinx.

no abnormal intramedullary signal intensity is observed to suggest myelomalacia or cord edema.

no abnormal intramedullary enhancement is observed.

no extramedullary enhancement is identified to suggest arachnoiditis or dural inflamation.

no paraspinal muscle edema or abnormal enhancement is identified.

there is no evidence of bone marrow edema or abnormal marrow enhancement.

at c1-2, there is no evidence of subluxation.
at c2-3, vertebral body spondylosis results in mild left neural foramen encroachment.
at c3-4, vertebral body spondylosis results in minimal neural foramen encroachment.
at c4-5, slight disc narrowing is present, a right paracentral disc protrusion abuts the right ventral aspect of the cord.
at c5-6, a right paracentral disc protrusion results in mild flattening of the right ventral aspect of the cord. spondylosis results in minimal neural foramen encroachment at this level.
at c6-7, slight bulging of the disc is observed.
at c7-t1, the disc is unremarkable.

any takers on what is causing my pain??? thanks

[Leesa]

Let me see if I can help now:

At C2-3 you have bone spurs that result in neural foramen encroachment. That means that the neural foramen is being touched.

C3-4 The same here.

C4-5 Slight disc narrowing here with a right paracentral disc protrusion abutting the right ventral aspect of the cord. You have a disc herniation that is touching the front of the spinal cord.

C5-6 A right paracentral disc protrusion results in mild flattening of the right ventral aspect of the cord, bone spurs result in minimal foramen encroachment.

C6-7 You have a disc bulge.

C7-11 Normal

I would say that the herniations that are touching/abutting the spinal cord about bound to cause some pain. Also the bone spurs that are touchiing the spinal cord aren't going to feel very good either! But I'M NO DOCTOR, so you'd need to talk these over with your own doctor or NEUROSURGEON.

Do you have another appointment with your doctor? So they think that you don't have much pain with this? It figures. WE NEVER get validation. I'd sure like THEM to talk a day in our shoes, wouldn't you?

Let me know how you're doing, ok? Why not post it in the Spiinal Disorders Forum, so I'll know where to look for it. Thanks hon, Talk later. Hugs, Lee

[pabb]

Chiari I malformation. herniation of cerebellar tonsils.

[Leesa]

What is that -- I'm not sure, and how do you tell?

[Jomar]

I think it's what this part says... -

[cerebellar tonsils extend through the foramen magnum compatible with cerebellar tonsillar ectopia.]

[Leesa]

So which one is it -- Chiari malformation or herniation of tonsils?