MRI report - Spinal Cord Disorders Message Board

doozberger · 10-20-2005, 05:37 PM

Need input on what I've been told so far about my problem. Had MRI,was called that afternoon with warning not to drive or ride in care stating I had severe cord compression. Saw family doctor, got okay to go on trip to England the next week but to see him when I returned. Saw him this past Mon., hand carried MRI films to NS who had scheduled to see me 12/5. They sent letter which I received today and they've moved the appt. up to 10/26. My MRI report follows. Is this as serious as they are making it sound? I'm really not in that much pain.

C-7-T1 level demonstrates a dehydrated disk but no focal protrusion. The thecal sac is widely patent. Neuroforamina demonstrate only mild narrowing from facet hypertrophy. The upper thoracic spine is visualized on sagittal images. The disk is essentially obliterated at the T1-2 with some marginal osteophytes causing bilateral neuroforaminal narrowing. Mild disk osteophyte complexes are present from T2-3 through T4-5 indenting the thecal sac and causing some neuroforaminal narrowing.
Impression:
1. Chronic appearing spinal cord compression from degenerative spinal stenosis at C3-4 thru C5-6 due to a combination of disk osteophyte complexes and Grade 1 degenerative spondylolisthesis at C3-4 and C405. Mild spinal stenosis at C6-7.
2. Increased signal in the cord most likely represents myelomacia or chronic edema. There also appears to be formation of a small syrinx at the cord at the C5-6 level.
3. Degenerative neuroforaminal narrowing as discussed above.
Any input from those of you who have had chronic problems would be appreciated.
Doozberger

notpain · 10-20-2005, 06:52 PM

Sounds like Dr. Gibby wrote your report. As far as travel goes - osteophytes in the Foramin will cause pressure on exiting nerves and pain. When I read your MRI the thing that jumps out at me (besides all the degeneration) is the spinal chord compression at C3-4 to C5-6. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM. Cord compression needs to be addressed immediately. We are not talking about simple pain here we are talking about serious potential injury to your CNS. I would put off the trip and do the surgery now, not later. You taking a serious life risk if you do not address this now, depending on how bad it really is. What is interesting is they say this cord compression is "chronic" meaning you have been living with it for awhile. You could already have serious nerve damage. Nerves can be damaged to the point they do not heal.

doozberger · 10-20-2005, 09:33 PM

I had the MRI on 9/30, took the trip and returned 10/14. Didn't really have any problems. It was this week that I returned to see my PCP who sent me to NS. I don't even know if surgery is recommended at this time since I haven't see NS yet. I hope this can be fixed. I'm 59 and very active at this point. I've have 2 cervical laminectomies in 1972 and 1977, hadn't had any problems other than a little arthritis until about 4 months ago. Who is Dr. Gibby? and are you a physician--you sound like you know a lot about this. Thanks.
Doozberger

feelbad · 10-21-2005, 05:48 AM

If I were you, before consenting to any sort of a surgical procedure,I would most definitely seek out at least one more opinion on your condition.anyone considering spinal cord surgery really should see at least one more NS before deciding just what to do.from what you have stated here,you have some rather major issues going on in your column and the spinal cord itself.considering that you appear to have some sort of fluid in your cord area(the edema) i am kind of suprised that you did not have any sort of pain issues when flying because of the pressure.you have kind of a complex problem that needs alot of research done on your part and discussing your condition with as many NSs as you feel you need.i actually obtained three seperate opinions on my condition before consenting to anything.in the end,i really did not have much of a choice as far as actually having to have my problem removed from my cord.It was the 'lessor of two eveils"type of situation.just don't actually DO anything invasive until you completely understand just what it is that you are actually dealing with.Good luck,Marcia