Adult Chiari Specialist in Memphis, TN.

[msrebel3]

I am desperately needing a list or information on doctors who specialize in adult chiari malformation diagnosis. I have seen a neurologist who performed an MRI, two to be exact. The first confirmed the condition, but I was told that it seemed to be within normal limits. I have continued to have problems with horrible headaches, and neck pain issues. The second MRI was on my spine and neck. It has been like pulling teeth to get any results from the neurologist, who said he had to speak to the radiologist about a concerned area that seemed to show some pressure on the spinal chord. We ended up having to call back again the next day, meanwhile I am continually in great pain. We called at the end of today, only to find out that the doctor was out of the office and the nurse spoke to the radiologist and the radiologist said that there was no pressure on the spinal chord. We were going to to be referred to another dr. for a nerve block and or physical therapy. I need help to find another doctor that will know and tell us what the next step should be for us to take. Does anyone know of a doctor in the memphis, tn. area with this experience? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. msrebel3

[selmaS]

  Hi and welcome to the Chiari forum.

We r all diff as to how quickly this may progress...low lying tonsils no matter how low can still obstruct CSF....so more testing is warranted.

Check out the list of Drs to use as a way to research Drs, u may not find them close to home and may have to travel, many of us do, but it is worth it in the end.

I hope we can help u find answers : )

[MemphisDave]

I know this is old but I just got my MRI back and it said the same thing about a slightly low lying left cerebellar tonsil without overt chiari malformation. My symptoms are headaches about twice a week and for the last two weeks a constant buzzy head. Heart palpitations which I have been to the cardiologist for. From reading some of your post I feel I am lucky to only have the symptoms I have so far. I was trying to find info on how aggressive this can be. I'm 28 years old and besides this, consider myself a fairly healthy person. I do have quite a bit of anxiety over these symptoms now and have for about the last 6 months. Thanks for any info

[Samanthab259]

did you ever see Terri Lichtor? I know this is a old post.

[Amethyst3]

To other people in the Memphis, TN area - I just found out that a renowned chiari specialist, Dr. Terry Lichtor, who formally worked at Rush University in Chicago, now works at St. Bernards in Jonesboro, AR, which is about an hour away.

[Amethyst3]

That is so strange!  What is it with Memphis? After years of worsening symptoms, my neurologist and I both saw the really bad chiari on the MRI (and the tube in my spine now), but the neurosurgeon in Memphis was snotty and blew it off.  And the annoying thing is, we have one main hotshot clinic here, so if they're not interested in fixing what they are supposed to, then you are kind of out of luck.  

msrebel3 - I don't put a lot of faith into what radiologists say.  They don't know you, have never met you, you're not really their personal patient, and they don't plan on people double checking their work.  So it doesn't benefit them to take extra time to point out things.  I always look at the films myself with my doctor, and do not just rely on the radiology report.

[shanmomof3]

Hi and welcome to the forum! I also saw drs in memphis and got Nowhere! I'm sorry your having to "fight" the drs but most of us completely understand the frustration! Blessings ~ Shannon

[selmaS]

HI and welcome to the Chiari forum.

There is a dr in Nashville that has treated several of the chiarians here on the forum....here is the link to the thread
http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Chiari-Malformation/LIST-OF-CHIARI-SPECIALISTS/show/1121460
and here is the listing of drs in TN...please research the drs to find the one best for u-
TENNESSEE

Dr. Carl Hampf, Baptist Hospital Nashville, Tennessee
800-668-9410
[phone]  

Dr Reid Thompson, Vanderbilt Hospital Nashville, Tennessee
Dr. Cheng, Vanderbilt Hospital Nashville, Tennessee

Dr. Samuel Hunter Nashville, Tennessee

I am glad to have u  join our little family here, so sorry for the reason to seek us out.

"selma"