So I had the infection 3 weeks ago, and so far it’s just been the regular waking up in the morning feeling like I have a bulge/bruise at the bottom right side of my head. And it goes away/gets better after I am up for a few hours. Still stiff but nothing like it was when I had the infection. I have only had one really intense pressure headache since the infection. It wasn’t my typical headache/migraine, but felt as though my head was literally going to explode. I still have the numb/tingly feeling in my back and times when my arm will go numb. In all honesty I don’t feel any different than I did before surgery, not any worse, but not better either. It is rather disappointing, and I realize it can take a year to really see the full benefits of surgery. I do not regret having it done as my symptoms were coming on strong and over 6 months had gotten worse, I can only imagine how it would have been a year from now.
My surgeon did order the MRI, brain, CINE Flow with and without contrast. I had that done on Friday and got the report and the scan today. I am a little confused by the report, as I read it nothing refers to the CSF Flow like my others did. Would that mean it is fine? Or in all this medical talk is it referring to the flow and I just don’t know it? I am now waiting to hear when my appointment with the surgeon is. Also did anyone else have a post-op MRI say the tonsils are still low lying? Shouldn’t they be “fixed” after decompression surgery?
This is what the report says:
“Patient is status post suboccipital craniectomy for Chiari Decompression. The tonsils are low-lying but there does not appear to be compression of the medulla or upper cervical spinal cord. Ventricles are normal in size, position, and configuration. There are no abnormalities of signal intensity within the brain parenchyma on T1, T2, or Flair Imaging. Diffusion images are unremarkable. Gradient-echo images show no evidence of hemorrhage or calcification. Post contrast images demonstrate no abnormal enhancement. The basilar artery and cavernous internal carotid arteries are patent. Sinuses are clear. Middle ear and mastoid air cells are clear."
Any ideas on this translation?