myelomalacia
 

Hi everyone,
I'm new to the forum but i have a few questions. I recently had a mri done with/ without contrast on my cervical spine, radiologist says myelomalacia and neurologist recommended me to a neurosurgeon. I've had these symptoms ( too long to list), for almost a year, ER thought it was related to bladder cancer they found. I had turbt surgery but it wasn't any better. I can't get to a neurosurgeon until i get medical assistance because i'm unemployed, which is taking forever. My question is what does myelomalacia do to the bladder and bowels because i am already having problems in that area will it only get worse. Any help would be appreciatef. THANKS!!!!

Hi Kim
 

Welcome to Neuro Talk. I did look up Myelomalacia. I would get those records, and give them personally to maybe a neurologist your PCP knows. Often your PCP can get you into see a neurologist even without funding. I did not have assistance either for my first surgery. I was seen none the less. There are compassionate doctors around, and it would be good if you can be seen sooner rather than later. This conditions sounds a bit scarry, and assistance can take so very long. Be assertive and get in to see someone. The doctor you are closest too, can help you. While I was waiting for assistance, I did go broke, but I am still here, and in better shape. There was a fund raiser for me though the artists guild I was a part of, so I did get some help to pay for that first surgery.. A community center may have some agency that may be able to direct you as well. A womens resource center, has access to alot of information too. I wish you all the best and hope you can get help soon. Vog Rehab also helps with getting people on their feet again. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. ginnie

Ginnie -- do you KNOW what myelomacia is? I've looked all over for it, and I need to know. I've promised someone I'd tell her if I could find it. Please let me know if you would. I'd appreciate it. Thanks.

PS -- I know that myelopathy is a disease of spinal cord or marrow, but I sure can't figure this one out. :eek: Hugs, Lee ;)

Hi. It just happens that in my MRI of 2011 and the one just done last week the report says Myelomalcia & focal cord atrophy at C4-6 levels.

The symptoms that I have been having and I think is related to the above is that I have weakess in my arms; tinling feeling at times in the finger areas. I also have radiating pain as well into the upper shoulder/arm area.

I dont think I have any bladder issues associated with the myelomalcia.

Do you know at what level the myelomalacia is on your MRI films? Its been a while since I looked up the term myelomalcia but I think it means that there is a "softening" of the spine. What else does your MRI say? Do you have the films & the narrative report?

That would be softening of the spinal CORD, correct?

It is softening of the spinal cord, i had to look it up also. My neurologist never mentioned it, he just looked of the cd and told me to see a neurosurgeon. I do have a copy of the mri and the cd, just not with me right now. I will post them when i go get them out of my car. I believe it is at the c5-c6 level with a bulging disk. I have the spastic gait, tingling fingers in both hands ( left hand worse), arms tingling from elbows down, arm weakness, arms and legs both jerk, plus incontinence. Thanks everyone!!!!

What CAUSES the softening of the spinal cord, do you know? That's sure strange. :confused: And what happens when the cord softens?

It is lack of blood in the spinal cord, due to compression or extrusion of disk. The nerves are compromised and can't function. You can't get that nerve function back once it dies but you can stop it from furthering damaging the nerves by surgery.

Hi leesa
 

Yes I do Leesa, I was able to find what it is on Google. It can cause bleeding in the cord, and does have danger with it. That is why I was encouraging the person to seek another opinion, not just to let it ride. That good soul had alot of problems with the spine, and adding this on top of it sounded like more referrals would be a good idea. Google the word, and medical sites will pop up with huge amounts of information on this. If you can't find the sites, I will try to get you the link through PM. I went to at least 4 sites for explaination. So much information, I could not relay all of it to that good person. I also didn't want to scare our friend either. Fine line to walk there. take care dear Leesa, you help so many people! ginnie

myelomalacia
 

HI.. I am new here. I had 1st MRI saying generalized myelomalacia in `07. My doc poo poo`d it. Worsening of condition and new MRI also shows myelomalacia from C 3-7. No one in health care will discuss this. I am not getting any guidance in how to slow it`s progression as i have all the symptoms from gait to bowel. Are they fearful of lawsuits or what? I feel like I have leprosy! Any suggestions?:confused:

Hello anmnw
 

Hi and welcome to neuro talk. I am sorry you are going though all the issues with your spine. Most of us are not professional, but we look up things and research it to try and help. I understand nobody in your medical community you have talked to so far is willing to discuss this issue with you. I have been looking up this condition the last week with Leesa. It would be a good time to gather your records, insist upon another opinion, and get some answers. Bring someone with you to the new appt. List your symptoms, write your questions, and insist someone speak with you. If you say where in the country you are, there may be people on line to help you find another physician in your area. This myelomalacia can have some consequences and you need someone to guide you. If you want all the information about it, it would arm you, so when you did go to the doctor again, you would have the knowledge to address the condition and understand the doctor. In this case please google up myelomalacia. Medical Web. MD and many other sites have this condition explained. This can be a serious condition, but I don't know the finer points or much more than what the web sites told me. We will be here to support you. Let me know if there is anything more I can do. I do care. ginnie

Dear anmnw,
I also am new to the board, but the people are godsends. I asked a few questions and they took the time to help, so listen to them, they know what they're talking about. So thank you everyone, especially ginnie and lisa for everything!!!!

Even my mind is going downhill, i meant leesa not lisa, so sorry!!!!!!!
Thanks kim

This is what I found about myelomalacia ~ I found it on this site, but it originally came from Wikipedia. It explains it alot better than I can and it also explains EXTREME cases too, so don't be alarmed about it. If you have any questions, please let me know. But it CAN cause problems with the bowel and bladder. So please check with your doctor or see a specialist as soon as possible. ;) Hugs, Lee


Myelomalacia:

MRI image shows spinal bleeding (myelomalacia).Myelomalacia is a pathologicalterm referring the softening of the spinal cord.[1] Hemorrhagic infarction (bleeding) of the spinal cord that can occur as a sequel to acute injury, such as that caused by intervertebral disc extrusion (being forced or pressed out) is the cause of myelomalacia. [2] The disorder causes flaccid paraplegia (impairment of motor function in lower extremities), total areflexia (below normal or absence of reflexes) of the pelvic limbs and ****, loss of deep pain perception caudal (in the coccyx) to the site of spinal cord injury, muscular atrophy (wasting away of muscle tissue), depressed mental state, and respiratory difficulty due to intercostal (muscles that run between the ribs) and diaphragmatic paralysis.

I was diagnosed with myelomalacia in 2006. Previously had had sudden increase in nerve pain and deterioration of walking ability. I had a spinal decompression operation with laminectomy (L4/5) the same year. Since that time my condition has stabilised, I can't detect any further deterioration, but no improvement either. Nothing was said about bleeding.

I did have bowel trouble around the same time and also intermittently since the operation, but this has recently been diagnosed as due to ulcerative colitis, an Inflammatory Bowel Disease, which has no known cause and 'flares up' between periods of remission.

myelomalacia
 

Jeesh. This is old. Anyone out there?:eek:

Hi crwriter

Welcome to NeuroTalk :).

You could raise your concerns about myelomalacia in the General Health Conditions & Rare Disorders forum (https://www.neurotalk.org/forum2/).

You might get more responses there.

Best wishes.

I was diagnosed myelomalacia for a couple of years. In my case it turned out to be due to damage to the spinal cord although the NHS will not acknowledge it as such mainly I believe because the damage was caused by a badly aimed I injection though I cannot claim this is typical so no further info from me