MRI results

[Migz88]

Hello,

Was just curious if someone could provide some advice on my MRI findings, as it has been very confusing and concerning.  The doctor didn't even mention to me some of the things listed on my MRI finding, so, I'm worried that perhaps they could be an issue.

Findings:

Cervical: The vertebral alignment is normal.  A small focal region of T1 shortening involving the C6 vertebral body on the right is compatible with hemangioma.  No marrow replacing process is evident.  No abnormality of the cranlovertebral junction is evident and the spinal cord demonstrates normal configuration and signal density.

C2-C3: Minimal left facet hypertrophy.  The spinal canal and neural foramina appear adequate.  

C7-T1: Minimal bilateral facet arthropathy.  No significant abnormality.

There is no suggestion of central stenosis, foraminal stenosis, or acute disc herniation.  Normal flow voids are identified within the visualized portions of the vertebral arteries, with the left vertebral artery slightly dominant.  The visualized paraspinal muscles appear within normal limits.

An 11 x 9 MM nodule is identified within the right lobe of the thyroid gland.

Thoracic: Prominent regions of T1 shortening involving the left lateral masses of T7 and T12, and extending into the adjacent vertebral bodies are compatible with hemangiomas.  A prominent perineural cyst is at the right neural foramen of T11-T12.  Mild degenerative changes are present at T11-T12 including mild to moderate hypertrophic facet changes, with a probable small right paracentral disc protrusion that mildly deforms the right ventral thecal sac and spinal cord, with no suggestion of central canal compromise.  There is no other suggestion of central canal stenosis, foraminal stenosis, or acute disc herniation.  

A central syrinx cavity is present, most prominent from the T6-T7 to the T8-T9 levels, measuring up to 5mm in diameter.  It likely extends cephalad at least to the T4 level and caudad to at least the T10 level as mild dilation of the central canal.  The visualized paraspinal muscles appear within normal limits.

Impression: Cervical:

1. 11 x 9 mm nodule right lobe of thyroid gland.
2. Minimal degenerative changes of the cervical spine.

Thoracic:
1. Central spinal cord syrinx
2. Degenerative changes T11-T12 with small right central disc protrusion.


This report really confuses me.  The doctor only really said You have moderate degeneration and we can use physical therapy to help with that, and that I have a syrinx that should be monitored ever so often.

He did not mention the prominent perineural cyst, or the hemangiomas, or the facet hypertrophy/arthopathy.

My concerns are--Are these things sometimes related to chiari or Syrinx or spinal cord injury related to accident?  Or are these something to be more concerned about as far as malignancy/tumor spreading from other sites, IE.) thyroid?


Your thoughts would be most welcome.



Thank you,

Miguel

[selmaS]

  Other then being on the list I again encourage u to research the Dr and not expect since they are on the list it means they are indeed a specialist...it only indicates a member of this forum has been to, treated by and like the Dr....and who is good for one may not be good for another, so keep an open mind and ready to compare him to another "specialist".......

Hmmm with so much going on it is hard to know what is causing what......

[Migz88]

My syrinx is from about t4-t11 5mm at widest point.  I do have some back pain, but I'm not sure if that is from the syrinx, or the hemangioma, or the perineural cyst, or what.  The pain has always been relatively minor, though.  
The doctor I was considering going to see is Troy Payner.  He is on the list of doctors on this community..  Hoping he knows more!

[selmaS]

  A spine Dr is not a Chiari specialist...as u found out....it is like taking a foreign car with transmission problems to just ne transmission place, u wouldn't u would seek out a foreign car transmission specialist... just bcuz they do transmissions does not mean they can handle the foreign car's.....

Dr Frim is a good choice, not sure whom else u r considering, just be sure to research both, visit both, compare them and go with ur gut, u need to be confident and comfortable with the Dr.,....keep in mind our list is not a referral nor an endorsement.....


The problem with a syrinx, is it can block the pain signals,....so u may think u r ok since u do not FEEL nething, but that is not always a good sign.....so do get it checked....where a syrinx is and which nerves are involved will determine what type of symptoms u have as a result.....

[Migz88]

Yes, I have copies of the report and the disc.  The dr is an orthopedic dr near my home.  However on his website it says he is a spinal expert.  I am very unhappy with him.  I just thank God that I have met my out of pocket for the year, and I don't have to pay him a dime.  Having a baby will do that!!  Lol.  If everything comes out okay with my thyroid ultrasound I am going to try to meet with a NS on the list of doctors here.  There is one in indiana where I live, I am going to try him first to see what he says, and if he doesn't know much I guess I'll try Dr. David Frim in Chicago.  That is about a 2-3 hour drive from me.  I just want to be proactive.  I've had a syrinx for 9 years and it doesn't seem like I have many symptoms, but at the same time, I know things can change, so I really want a doctor who knows what they are talking about!

[selmaS]

  OMG...what type of Dr is that?...I hope not a NS....wow.

  Hemagiomas are a collection of blood vessels and noncancerous growths,.....


Hmmm well if  u included all the info from ur MRI's it does not mention Chiari or low lying tonsils....

Do u have copies of the MRI's as well as the report?

[Migz88]

I am not sure if I have Chiari or not.  the doctor didn't even seem to know what it was, he didn't even know that having a syrinx=syringomyelia.  He said that syringomyelia is when you have an issue with leaking CSF.  so I'm very unhappy with him.  As far as the nodule--I had the Ultrasound today--I meet with  my primary care doctor Wednesday-and he should have the results by then.  I'm just hoping that it isn't thyroid cancer--Also scared what the hemangiomas can mean--just hope I don't have thyroid cancer :(

[selmaS]

  Hi.,..I am a tad confused as well so u have a syrinx and a nodule on ur thyroid, but no Chiari? Am I correct?

As for being related to Chiari yes, these issues can be related....the nodule on the thyroid could indicate Hashimoto's thyroiditis...it is a auto immune thyroid condition ...we also are prone to connective tissue disorders....

A syrinx can form after blunt force trauma due to a fall or MVA or from an obstruction of CSF flow due to low lying cerebral tonsils....

  With the thyroid, u would need to have an ultra sound and blood work for auto immune thyroid not just TSH to see what is going on there...but the size of the nodule needs to be checked (via an ultra sound) as well as ur blood labs every 6 months,,,,,free T3, free T4, TPO antibodies and TSH,,,,,, also look to ur families medical history for more info on how this may impact u.

I hope I answered ur questions.