I haven't had a doctor mention Chiari but have had another Chiari patient tell me to go foward with this and the more I read up on it the more it sounds just like me!
I got my MRI results yesterday and it states that the cellebellar tonsils extend through the level of the foramen magnum, bilaterall, measuring approx. 6mm on the right and 5 mm on the left. The posterior fossa does not appear abnormally small. No hydrocephalus.
Associated with the pineal gland, an oblong lesion measuring 1cm. This finding follows signal intensity of CSF other than a thin septation centrally in a near coronal plane.
Prominence of the CSF space within the sella turcica with a flat appearance of the superior margin of the pituitary gland.
I have alot of problems but my main problem is daily headaches and alot of neck pain. When I went to my doctor yesterday he just kind of shrugged off these test results and said we would do a contrast in about 3 months but other than that didnt do anything different to help me relieve my symptoms. I am currently take 200 mg Topomax daily but they don't seem to help much. Do you think I may need to go foward with a second opinion?
I read a little bit about some of this wording from the MRI but I am not a doctor so I don't know if I am reading stuff correctly and don't want to worry for nothing.
All my current Nuerologist wants to do is up my med (Topomax), I am at the max dose now, and push me out the door. He spends a total of 3 minutes tops with me every 3 months, and won't listen to anything I say. I have made myself an appointment tomorrow with my regular MD to see if she can get me an appointment with someone else so maybe I can get a little more help. I am tired of the daily pain and discomfort. I know they can't fix me right now but to have someone that will actually listen to me and maybe even say hey I believe something is wrong would be a God send!
Well..it sounds like you had a very thorough radiologist read your MRI!! Major bonus! But, with cerebellar tonisillar herniation in my humble, non doctor opinion, that is Chiari. A couple of the major symptoms are headaches and neck pain. Good news is no hydrocephalus! And the herniation isn't too large in the grand scheme of things, although, that really doesn't matter when it comes to symptoms. The posterior fossa does not need to be abnormally small for Chiari to happen. Sometime we are just too smart for our own good and our brains are too big! I'm sorry that your doctor is shrugging off your symptoms and test results. I would definitely seek a second opinion! If nothing else, push for a referral to a neurosurgeon. This is your brain...if you aren't comfortable with what doctors are doing or telling you, push for more! And find doctors that you are comfortable with. Having a great team of doctors can make a huge difference in your overall well being and outlook!
I would recommend sending a copy of your MRI to one of the Top NS listed on this Site. There are several.Dr Oro is in Colorado. I am scheduled for surgery with Dr. Heffez in Wisconsin.At least you could get comfirmation from one them. I have been sick for 10 years 20 plus Doctors. That is what I wish I had done from the get go. My chiari was dismissed for so long. Best of luck to you.