Enlarged Spinal Canal at Sacrum and cyst - Spinal Cord Disorders Message Board

Gerri54 · 08-28-2006, 05:13 PM

Hi Everyone

I am without a doctor. I am going over a MRI report of my spine. I have disk deterioration from L2-L5 and Osteopenia from L1-L4. I also have a birth defect of the lower spine (hairline fracture) at the disk, just above the pelvic bone. I have an Enlarged Spinal Canal at the Sacrum. At the same area is a cyst posterior, and left of the Thecal sac, and very close to spine. They think there is a thin layer separating spine from this cyst. This cyst measures 6.5 cm long, and 3 cm in diameter.

Should I be concerned about this cyst. I am experiencing a lot of pain. I have ongoing bladder problems.

Urologist diagnosed me with MS, but Neurologist say Lumbar Tap did not show MS, but have lesions in the brain.

I tested positive for HLA-B27 the gene for Ankylosing Spondilitis. I have other medical issues, and other arthritis(s).

Has anyone else had any problems with cyst at sacrum, what did your doctor advise you to do about it.

Gerri

SpineAZ · 08-28-2006, 05:24 PM

Gerri:

You should consider getting a referral to a neurosurgeon and/or orthopedic spine surgeon - they can review the MRI and give you a diagnosis and treatment plan.

Problems in the lumbar spine can cause bladder/bowel problems.

Karin
C5-C7 ACDF 05/2006
L4-S1 Fusion 05/1993

Lilacs&Lillies · 09-03-2006, 09:36 PM

Hi Gerri,

Don't know if yours are similar to mine... but I have 3 sacral cysts, two of which are quite large and erroding the bone around them. I was told mine are probably "Tarlov cysts." Some are incidental findings, found during investigation of other spinal pathology. Mine are considered "symptomatic" because they were diagnosed as perfect cause for the complaints I had. (extreme sacral pressure and sciatica) The neurosurgeon I was referred to scared me to death. Saying that working on them was like sewing wet tissue paper and I could end up with a permanent spinal fluid leak requiring a shunt, etc.

I have a new neurosurgeon now - who just did ACDF on me, but I haven't dicussed this with him yet. I am not open to surgery at this time so didn't bother discussing it. I have had pain & pressure problems for at least 5 years now, but I will not do surgery unless I do start to lose bowel or bladder control, as the risks he spelled-out far outweigh the potential for relief. I have heard of them being drained, but seems they fill right back up again. Maybe you don't have this same type, but you have my sympathy either way.

Take care,
Lilacs

Gerri54 · 09-04-2006, 04:28 AM

Hi Lilacs

Quote:

Saying that working on them was like sewing wet tissue paper and I could end up with a permanent spinal fluid leak requiring a shunt, etc.

It's funny (not), but interesting, I mention to my DH about the possibility if there was a permanent spinal fluid leak about requiring a shunt. I am not a doctor or nurse or anything like that. I have read where there is a possibility because of the size that it will have to be drained. They say that after having it drained it may take years before it refills and gets to the size it is now.

I have had bowel and bladder control problems off and on, but nothing permanent.

Your cysts sound so much like mine. I had to beg my ex-GP to send me to my ex-Rheumy, who lost my results for the MRI of this cyst. and diagnosed me with Fibromyalgia. It's after I asked for my medical report I found out about this cyst. As I haven't been to a neurosurgeon, or another Rheumy yet in regard to this cyst I can't tell you if it's symptomatic or what. Here in Canada you have to have a referral to a neurosurgeon and Rheumy. Because I don't have a GP I guess it won't be any time soon.

I will be trying at a walk-in-clinic to get a a referral.

Take Care
Gerri

Gerri54 · 09-04-2006, 04:33 AM

Hi Karin

Thanks for the response. I will be taking your advise, and hopefuly a doctor at a walk-in-clinic will be able to make that referral to a neurosurgeon. Here in Ontario there are very few doctors taking on patients, and I am without a doctor at moment.

Take Care
Gerri