I am having my 5th surgery at Vanderbilt hospital in Nashville Tn. We haven’t got a date yet but it will be soon. I have got to have a special MRI done on May 21st. I have a syrinx. My doctor said it is bad and the long I let it go the worse I am going to be she said the damage is done and more than likely want come back. She also said that will be a very hard surgery to recover from and I will have a very high chance of an infection. So what do u do ? Please if u have any advice please share any story with me.
I have a Syrinx too. I was told that syrinx surgery is rarely done. The only surgery I have had for this is the decompression surgry. My syrinx is fom the 1st cervical vertabrae and stops at about the middle of my shoulder blades. I have my yearly MRI next week, so my neurosurgeon’s opinion could change. I wish I were of more help.
My doctor said that the one I have is large and putting a lot of pressure on my nerves in my spine causing a lot of problems. That I could have permit damage to the nerves that control the movement in my arms and legs and could have trouble with body function. It’s blocking the flow of spinal fuild. I had a decompression surgery done already for a chiari malformation but this doctor said the other doctor should have fixed this when he done it 2 years ago. So I just hope I am not going in for another surgery that isn’t going to help with the blacking out, pain in my back,head aches, sleepless nights,and I could go on and on.
You could also get a second opinion from Dr Michael rosner neurosurgeon in Hendersonville nc he is a chiari specialist and he is recognized by the chiari institute of new York. He is wonderful .
Hi Debra. I strongly suggest you get a second opinion from a doctor who specializes in Chiari and Syringomyelia. My syrinx goes from C2 to T6, so it's pretty extensive. The only surgery I've had is decompression surgery. Before the surgery I looked like I had Parkinsons . My whole body had tremors. This immediately went away with only decompression surgery that included duraplasty, and lamenectomy of C1. (Not sure if I'm spelling everything correctly). My syrinx is still just as long, but not as big in diameter. There is more normal flow of the cerebral spinal fluid now. If I hadn't had the surgery my doctor predicted I would be a quadriplegic by now. I don't expect I'll ever need a shunt.
Vanderbilt is one of the leading medical centers in the country for this type of surgery. You will be in great hands.
I really like this doctor she is really nice and right to the point. I have been lied to so many time I am scared to get anything done but,this time I am hoping she will do what she said she can do. She has made no promise on what feelings I will get back in my hands and fingers. But she said it might happen if it does it will be a plus. I know this is going to be hard on me this time mentally and physically but, I have done a lot research on the internet and the things I have read are almost everything I have going on.