anybody ever heard of this?? - Spinal Cord Disorders Message Board

ladyblue · 09-04-2003, 09:47 PM

Hey guys,

Here is my question for the day.

Last week I had a second MRI because I am still having big time pain same as pre op and also some new and improved pain and nerve symptoms on the right side of my neck and shoulder and arm. Prior to surgery all the pain and aggrevation was on the left side, so this new stuff on the right is cause for investigation.

Well, the MRI report came back pretty clean, for which I am very glad, except for one small problem. The area that needed to be looked at most....C5/6....the area of the partial corpectomy and the ACDF was "contaminated by metal artifact" and a clear picture could not be obtained. Now, my question is this. As I have NO hardware, screws, plates etc implanted, where the heck is this supposed metal coming from and why doesnt it show up on xray??

The best explaination I could get from the radiologist who read my films was this: "its probably metal shavings or fragments left over from the surgical proceedure when they filed and ground around in there."

Has he HIT HIS HEAD???? I dont want metal fragments in me. Will I ever be able to have a clear MRI? How will anyone ever see whats going on in there?

So, basically the second MRI was useless. I wonder what is the next test that they could do to see what is the matter in there?? I am scared to death because of the new symptoms and dont have a clue what is next.

My voice is still mousy, bummer.

Lisa

[This message has been edited by moderator1 (edited 09-12-2003).]

Dimples5 · 09-04-2003, 10:24 PM

Metal shaving and grindings from what? I agree with you. If you weren't supposed to have braces, cages, etc., what is the metal stuff? Ask and ask again until you are satified. Let us know. Hugs, Pat

sroman127 · 09-05-2003, 04:35 AM

Hello,
I am having the same problem after having surgery. My pain used to be only on my left side and since surgery I am suffering with alot of pain on my right side. MRI was not clear. I went for a second opinion yesterday and now will be going for an EMG. Just wanted to let you know that you are not alone. Take care!

more · 09-05-2003, 06:57 AM

I have the problem of pain on the left side now (but was also having it on the right until I did PT). The majority of the pain now was caused after trying to raise the roof with my head 10 months after surgery, but some of it was there before hitting my head.

I have hardware and had another MRI but there was a lot of artifact which was explained from the plate. I understand that if you have an MRI with Contrast a better view can be seen.

Thought: Do you think it is possible the sutures they put in inside maybe what is still showing up on the new MRI?

pinklady630 · 09-08-2003, 11:05 PM

Lisa - wish I had some words of advice, but hope you solve this mystery soon & get to feeling better.

[This message has been edited by pinklady630 (edited 09-09-2003).]