[molly123]

Hi, I'm new here and new to back pain. I've had it off and on for the past couple of years but since about September it has been a daily occurrence. It is mostly mid to upper back/neck pain. After getting looked at by my PCP and then a chiropractor I was referred for an MRI. I'm not totally sure what the results mean and have not yet met with my doctor, but I would like to have some idea of what I'm looking at! Any thoughts/ideas/suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

FINDINGS:

Cerebellar tonsils are low lying, 6-7mm below the level of the foramen magnum. No evidence for cervical cord syrinx or other intrinsic cord signal abnormality is demonstrated. Minimal C2-C3 anterolisthesis, minimal C3-4 anterolisthesis, mild upper thoracic liver curvature present. Vertebral body heights are maintained. 1.6cm subcutaneous lesion left of midline at C4 level should be correlated clinically.

At C2-C3, no significant central canal or foraminal narrowing is seen.

At C3-C4, small right paracentral disc protrusion indents the thecal sac.

At C4-C5, no significant central canal or foramina narrowing is seen.

At C5-C6, no significant central canal or foramina narrowing is seen.

At C6-C7, no significant central canal or foramina narrowing is seen.

At C7-T1, no significant central canal or foramina narrowing is seen.

IMPRESSION:

No spinal canal or foramina stenosis, cord or nerve root impingement. Cerebellar tonsillar ectopia. Nocervical cord syrinx.

Any ideas of what this means in language that is a little more straightforward would be greatly appreciated!! Thank you!

[Jomar]

Originally Posted by molly123

Hi, I'm new here and new to back pain. I've had it off and on for the past couple of years but since about September it has been a daily occurrence. It is mostly mid to upper back/neck pain. After getting looked at by my PCP and then a chiropractor I was referred for an MRI. I'm not totally sure what the results mean and have not yet met with my doctor, but I would like to have some idea of what I'm looking at! Any thoughts/ideas/suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

FINDINGS:

Cerebellar tonsils are low lying, 6-7mm below the level of the foramen magnum.
might be good to google this part.
No evidence for cervical cord syrinx or other intrinsic cord signal abnormality is demonstrated. Minimal C2-C3 anterolisthesis, minimal C3-4 anterolisthesis,
Forward slippage of one vertebra on another is referred to as anterolisthesis, while backward slippage is referred to as retrolisthesis. http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j...59568121,d.cGU

mild upper thoracic liver curvature present.
this seems to be related to scoliosis

Vertebral body heights are maintained. 1.6cm subcutaneous lesion left of midline at C4 level should be correlated clinically.

At C2-C3, no significant central canal or foraminal narrowing is seen.

At C3-C4, small right paracentral disc protrusion indents the thecal sac.

At C4-C5, no significant central canal or foramina narrowing is seen.

At C5-C6, no significant central canal or foramina narrowing is seen.

At C6-C7, no significant central canal or foramina narrowing is seen.

At C7-T1, no significant central canal or foramina narrowing is seen.

IMPRESSION:

No spinal canal or foramina stenosis, cord or nerve root impingement.
Cerebellar tonsillar ectopia. No cervical cord syrinx.

Any ideas of what this means in language that is a little more straightforward would be greatly appreciated!! Thank you!

I bolded main points and commented on some things.

[molly123]

Originally Posted by Jo*mar

I bolded main points and commented on some things.

Thank you very much for helping me pick out the important info, I really do appreciate you taking the time to look over my post! The cerebellar tonsillar ectopia doesn't look all that great, hopefully it's not that bad, would explain A LOT of other symptoms I have though...as far as the other info (vertebrae slipping and small disc protrusion), how easy are those to remedy? I tried googling them but I'm getting very confused with all the different language that is used to describe things.....I definately have the shooting pains down my arms, my back is almost constantly having muscle spasms, the chiropractor said I had adhesions, and my spine from my neck to about the middle of my back is tender to the touch. I know my doctor will probably (hopfully) explain all of this stuff to me, but I guess the fear of the unknown is getting the best of me!

[Jomar]

I would focus on getting this figured out first- cerebellar tonsillar ectopia -
and see how that goes.

for the rest - there are videos on you tube showing chiro/PT/bodyworker treatment for scoliosis so you could find someone trained to address that.
To me manual therapy seems better than wearing a brace of some sort..

I have slipping L4/5 and some c spine /upper back issues so I ordered an inversion table to see it that helps before seeking a new chiro.

[zookester]

Originally Posted by molly123

Hi, I'm new here and new to back pain. I've had it off and on for the past couple of years but since about September it has been a daily occurrence. It is mostly mid to upper back/neck pain. After getting looked at by my PCP and then a chiropractor I was referred for an MRI. I'm not totally sure what the results mean and have not yet met with my doctor, but I would like to have some idea of what I'm looking at! Any thoughts/ideas/suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

FINDINGS:

Cerebellar tonsils are low lying, 6-7mm below the level of the foramen magnum. No evidence for cervical cord syrinx or other intrinsic cord signal abnormality is demonstrated. Minimal C2-C3 anterolisthesis, minimal C3-4 anterolisthesis, mild upper thoracic liver curvature present. Vertebral body heights are maintained. 1.6cm subcutaneous lesion left of midline at C4 level should be correlated clinically.

At C2-C3, no significant central canal or foraminal narrowing is seen.

At C3-C4, small right paracentral disc protrusion indents the thecal sac.

At C4-C5, no significant central canal or foramina narrowing is seen.

At C5-C6, no significant central canal or foramina narrowing is seen.

At C6-C7, no significant central canal or foramina narrowing is seen.

At C7-T1, no significant central canal or foramina narrowing is seen.

IMPRESSION:

No spinal canal or foramina stenosis, cord or nerve root impingement. Cerebellar tonsillar ectopia. Nocervical cord syrinx.

Any ideas of what this means in language that is a little more straightforward would be greatly appreciated!! Thank you!

Hi,

Regarding the Cerebellar tonsillar ectopia have you ever heard of Chiari Malformation or Chiari Syndrome? Also I was wondering if you have ever been diagnosed with Hypermobile Joints or elasticity of joints and/or connective tissue? I ask because of the apparent scoliosis and with CTE (aka Chiari Syndrome) also having hypermobility is common. Here is an informative link on both. http://www.mayfieldchiaricenter.com/chiari.php

I don't know where you live but there is a great surgeon that my best friend went to for Chiari here in Seattle. If you want her name feel free to PM me.

Best wishes,
Tessa

[molly123]

Originally Posted by zookester

Hi,

Regarding the Cerebellar tonsillar ectopia have you ever heard of Chiari Malformation or Chiari Syndrome? Also I was wondering if you have ever been diagnosed with Hypermobile Joints or elasticity of joints and/or connective tissue? I ask because of the apparent scoliosis and with CTE (aka Chiari Syndrome) also having hypermobility is common. Here is an informative link on

I don't know where you live but there is a great surgeon that my best friend went to for Chiari here in Seattle. If you want her name feel free to PM me.

Best wishes,
Tessa

Hi,
Thank you for the reply! It's funny you mention the hypermobile joints because I have actually been told I have that. I've been looking the Chiari Malformation information up and I definitely have more than a few other symptoms. I get extremely painful pains in my left cheek (went to an ENT for a year trying to figure out what the problem was to no avail), I have had vision disturbances, and I've been to a neurologist due to headaches (again, no solution. In fact I was told to read a book about headaches and stop chewing gum!). I'm in Massachusetts, but I really appreciate your willingness to offer a recommendation! I'll get headaches that completely put me out of commission for the night, and weakness in my hands along with tingling and numbness. I'm just not sure if my symptoms are enough to get treatment? I've also been brushed off for the past 5 years by my doctors I feel like they think I'm just annoying! I have an appointment on Friday to review the MRI, so hopefully I will get some answers! Thank you again for your reply! What is happening
With your best friend?
Thanks, molly

[zookester]

Originally Posted by molly123

Hi,
Thank you for the reply! It's funny you mention the hypermobile joints because I have actually been told I have that. I've been looking the Chiari Malformation information up and I definitely have more than a few other symptoms. I get extremely painful pains in my left cheek (went to an ENT for a year trying to figure out what the problem was to no avail), I have had vision disturbances, and I've been to a neurologist due to headaches (again, no solution. In fact I was told to read a book about headaches and stop chewing gum!). I'm in Massachusetts, but I really appreciate your willingness to offer a recommendation! I'll get headaches that completely put me out of commission for the night, and weakness in my hands along with tingling and numbness. I'm just not sure if my symptoms are enough to get treatment? I've also been brushed off for the past 5 years by my doctors I feel like they think I'm just annoying! I have an appointment on Friday to review the MRI, so hopefully I will get some answers! Thank you again for your reply! What is happening
With your best friend?
Thanks, molly

Hi Molly,

It is so hard when you don't know what is going on and the symptoms don't lighten up!! My heart goes out to you.

I am not surprised at all that you have been told you have hypermobile joints. Have you ever heard of or looked into Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS)? I would look into it and then schedule an appt with a reputable Neurosurgeon and Rheumatologist to find out for sure if you have both issues and then they can work toward a resolution. My friend ended up having surgery with a fantastic Neurosurgeon here in Seattle - if you want her info let me know and I will PM it to you.

She is doing great now and most symptoms of the Chiari are gone. EDS is something she will always live with but she is figuring that out. Her daughter also has it so be mindful if you have little ones as it can be hereditary.

Good luck and reach out anytime,
Tessa

[molly123]

So I went to my doctor today and he said there was nothing wrong...so then I asked about what "cellebellar tonsils are low lying, 6-7mm" and he told me it meant the tonsils in my throat were lower than usual....then I told him I actually had them removed 24 years ago. And then he pretty much in so many words said I could google it.

So, after I left I sat in my car and cried. I don't get it. I am in pain whether my neck, back, or insanely intense headache and/or facial pain daily. I feel like people look at me like I'm crazy, dramatic, or attention seeking etc. I feel like no one is listening to me . I called two hospitals that have a department that handles Chiari in hopes that maybe they can make sense of what is going on, it's so tough feeling like there is no solution to what has been going on for the past couple of years or so. Anyway, sorry for the vent, just curious if anyone has any suggestions! Thanks!

[Jomar]

You had already looked up info on it didn't you?
I might have told him so and then asked why he didn't LOL...

I wouldn't go back to that one, he doesn't care to really help his patients..

Was this a surgeon of some sort or general MD?
perhaps he was only looking for something he could operate on??

[molly123]

Originally Posted by Jo*mar

You had already looked up info on it didn't you?
I might have told him so and then asked why he didn't LOL...

I wouldn't go back to that one, he doesn't care to really help his patients..

Was this a surgeon of some sort or general MD?
perhaps he was only looking for something he could operate on??

Hi,
I had looked the stuff up (thanks again for helping to point me in the right direction)! I guess I just thought that I'm not a doctor so I shouldn't second guess what he says. And quite frankly I was taken aback when he said the report was referring to my (nonexistent) throat tonsils! He is my primary care doctor. Of course after I left I had a million things I wish I had said when I was there but didn't.