3 different MRI, 3 different results

General
1

Sooo,

I got my first MRI in January where it was determined that I had a Chiari malformation and a herniation of 6mm. I received a second MRI in February with contrast at a different hospital and that MRI said I "possibly" had a herniation of possibly 4-4.5mm. I was furious when I read that! What do you mean "possibly"?? It either is or it isn't--especially when looking at an MRI. Is it there or isn't it??

When I got to see my new local neurolgoist, who by the way is the most awesome and empathetic doctor I've ever talked to, she ordered an MRI of the cervical spine with dye to ensure nothing else was going on. I saw her yesterday & she ordered a nerve test for my hand since I now have started to have pain/numbness/weakness in it. She knows I'm going to see Dr. Martino at Univ. of South AL in May so she wanted to have all that available for when I see him.

So I got the results back yesterday on the last MRI. This one was the most perplexing.

I sat there in silence, stunned by what I was reading.

"NO EVIDENCE OF CHIARI MALFORMATION"

Uhh say what!?

So i'm curious to know how does one go from a herniation of 6mm, to 4-4.5mm to NOTHING AT ALL?? Granted these were at three different hospitals but how could you MISS something like this and be that far off??

I'm just frustrated AGAIN and completely torn by it.

2

Ask for a copy of the MRIs on a disc for the neurosurgeon. Most experienced Chiari surgeons like to view the MRI for themselves because radiologists my interpret them differently depending on their background and how familiar they are with the condition.