[glenntaj]

"a C3/C4 central disk herniation which focally effaces the anterior subarachnoid space and nearly contacts the anterior margin of the adjacent spinal cord"?

I went in for my first cervical MRI in 2 years to check on my right side C6/C7 radiculopathy symptoms, secondary to torn rhomboid muscles in right shoulder some years back (started right at the time of the tear)--I have some tingling numbness down my right thumb/forefinger inside of third finger secondary to foraminal encroachment at that level (it's still there--"at C6/C7 there is an annualar disc bulge/spondylotic ridge complex which is eccentric to the rightand which narrows the anterior subarachnoid space without frank cord compression. Ossseous ridge encroaches upon the right neural foramen and right exiting nerve root"). The symptoms increase when I turn my head down and to the left, but since there have been no motor disruptions, we had put off foraminotomy--I'm still considering it.

But the C3/C4 herniation is worrisome. I've had disc bulges from C2/C3 to C6/C7 for years, but this is my first herniation, and I'm led to understand that herniation at that level is rare. The report does mention slight retrolisthesis at C3/C4, but I don't know if it could have caused the herniation or is secondary to it. I don't believe I am currently symptomatic from this, but I have a weird neurological history, most importantly my acute-onset body-wide burning small-fiber neuropathy form 4/12/03 . That started acutely (hours), waxed for some months, and has been, according to a series of skin biopsies, resolving/re-enervating slowly since then, but leaves me prone to all sorts of compressive nerve effects, and it's hard to tell what causes what. For instance, I have a 2cm leg length discrepancy, left shorter than right, and have a tendency to get sacral/pelvic twist, which sometimes impacts what we believe are sacral nerve roots, which in my case may be more sensitive than most. Most annoyingly, I have had, for 10 weeks, a buzzing/vibrating sensation in my right bladder area which tingles down the right side of my penis, and seems to be set off by jiggling of the bladder area (even brisk walking can set it off), and worsened by the L'hermitte's position, though the L'hermitte's position won't induce it when it's not already "going".

Paradoxically, I have recently had a completely normal lumbar MRI. A complete urological work-up found nothing--even have a less-than-one PSA. Since this first appeared after a rather vigorous session with my wife, speculation is that I tethered a nerve and the pubic muscles compress it from time to time, setting it off, but I am of course wondering if the cervical stuff might have anything to do with it . . .