After many months of intense tingling and pain in my arms and legs, an MRI revealed a chiari malformation. My neurosurgeon said that it was less than 5 mm, but that it was probably blocking the flow of csf, but before doing surgery he wants to do a cineMRI. As crazy as it sounds, I’m terrified that the MRI will come back fine and then I’m left without a diagnosis. I’m a lawyer at a big ny firm with two small kids and I’m very nearly disabled with my current symptoms and need a solutions. Has anyone had a malformation, symptoms, but a negative cine MRI?
I felt the same way about getting a CINE mri. I was so worried it was going to come out normal. The doctor who ordered it was not a chiari specialist but he knew enough to order the MRI. The radiologist said there was no crowding and no blockage. I was devastated because I felt I was back at square one. When I finally saw a chiari specialist he told me that his radiologist would never say my flow was normal. He showed me how the crowding was severely blocking my flow. The other doctor was a good NS but he was not well versed with the many presentations of chiari. I had surgery at the end of August and am doing better than I have in years. Even after surgery I was still worried that chiari wasn’t causing my symptoms but I am so happy to report that most of my symptoms are gone completely so clearly the surgery was needed 
So one radiologist and NS said mine was negative so surgery wasn’t needed. A specialist said they were wrong and I did need surgery. Maybe if yours is negative you could send your films to TCI for a second opinion. Keep us posted and don’t give up
Thanks so much to both if you. I’m just praying this is the answer. I’m getting worse each week. It’s just unbelievable to me that this has progressed so quickly.
Thanks again. I’m seeing Dr. Souweidane at Weill Cornell, who I think is pretty good. We’ll see what he says. TCI would be my next stop, if needed.
It sounds like you have a lot of faith in your NS which is very good! Keep us posted. We all understand the anxiety surrounding tests.
My cine report said no significant blockage of flow, but my Chiari specialist knew better. Don’t worry, I know it’s hard not you, but there are Chiari docs who really do understand and can help!