CHIARI SYMPTOMS BUT NO CONCLUSIVE TEST

[Londres70]

Is it possible for someone to have Chiair without a herniation, without overcrowding and a negative
CINE MRI?  Many vague symptoms are present though, i.e. blurry vision, neck pain, pressure headaches,
feeling of being off-balance when walking and sitting, generalized twitching, etc.  

The only thing abnormal was an MRI; cervical lordosis loss and a C4-C5 herniation.  

Her physician couldn't confirm it was or was not Chiari.  He stated he "suspects" it is.  

Thank you for your time.  I know very little about this.  

[Londres70]

Thank you all for your comments.

You all have been helpful.

[selmaS]

Could it be the herniation does not fit the old standard of 5mm or larger?...some drs do not consider it a herniation if it is of a certain size...while chiari specialists agree it is not the herniation itself that can cause symptoms or defines chiari.

Overcrowding and CSF flow do play a bigger role...so, I can only suggest u get copies of the MRI and report and find a chiari specialist.

"selma"

[taylapj]

Hi your story sounds similar to mine, all tho I do have a herniation, however I also have scoliosis and disc prolapse at c3-4, advice would defo be to find a good doctor who is willing to listen to you and do testing, with so many spinal issues the symptoms can over lap, what I am doing is having my spinal problems treated with physio first to say at least I've tried, if I continue to have all these weird symptoms I will Persue chiari further, I know it's hard but you just got to find a doctor that knows spinal and chairi issues. Xx

[Londres70]

Thank you both for your comments.

SelmaS, she had been in an MVA 20-21 years ago; got rear-ended.  

The CINE is ok, there is NO herniation and there is NO overcrowding; only this problem with her cervical spine, which this NS told her she could not do anything about.  

She is not even sure if this is even Chiari's.  The physician's visit left her confused.  

  

[selmaS]

HI...as gmaldonado mentioned it is possible , chiari is not the herniation, but the malformation of the skull.

The herniation and overcrowding can cause a CSF blockage that puts pressure on the brain stem and nerves causing many of the symptoms.

The one thing all of our members here will advise, do get to a chiari specialist to know exactly what is going on.

The specialists in this field doing research have designated a newer term, Chiari 0...meaning no herniation or one that is below the older standard for recognizing chiari at 5 mm.......

Many of us with the loss of cervical lordosis have had whip lash, has this person also been in a MVA?

We do have a list of drs in a thread and also in the Health Pages....I hope this info is helpful....please keep us posted on this person and do invite them to join our forum.

"selma"

[gmaldonado]

Yes, it is possible for people to have Chiari without a herniation. Doctors tend to be quick to say Chiari doesn't cause symptoms if it is Type 1. With or without herniation Chiari can cause symptoms. cervical lordosis loss and a C4-C5 herniation can bring up that pressure because any thing in your spinal cord can lead to multiple problems. One piece of advise that I will give you is to tell her to find a different doctor. Doctors choose to dismiss chiari becasue they dont take it seriously. Incidental Chiari....always. She needs a doctor who will say yes or no and will dig in until he or she finds and answer for all her symptoms if it is not only oen thing. We'll be praying.

[Londres70]

Oops, sorry about the sloppy post.  My typing is terrible at times; I have to switch from French to English.