Small Syrinx or MS Legion?

[MG18]

Here is what MRI report says:
" There is a 4 mm long fusiform focus of increased T2 signal intensity in the anterior midline cervical cord at C6 level suspicious for small syrinx. This measure apporx 4 mm in length and 2 mm AP.  This is very low signal on the T1 - weighted images. I favor cystic change over the plaque on the basis of images acquired.  Impression : single small fusiform focus of fluid signal in the anterior midline cervical cord at C6 level. Suspect small syrinx."

My symptoms are :
1. Main is dizziness 24/7 for last 6 months
2. Partial numbness and tingling on left foot and hand
3. Muscle twitches/ fluttering
4. Head pressure and ear pressure and runny nose that comes and goes

What can I do further to confirm if it is MS or Small Syrinx?

[selmaS]

  To start with your last question first, yes, if the disk is bulging out far enuff it is possible to block CSF flow which is how a syrinx is formed.

I can not refer you to a specific Dr but I can give you names to research.The following are names of Drs members here have been to, treated bby and liked but it is not a referral nor an endorsement for those listed....be advised you may have to travel to get to a Dr

GEORGIA

Dr. Princewill Ehirim
Lawrenceville,GA

Dr.  Vidyadhar Chitale
Marietta, GA

Not sure it is better to have MS or Chiari.....they both can affect us adversely ......and the symptoms are so similar it may not make that much of a difference....except there is treatment via surgery which can give benefits.....and it really depends on if your syrinx is caused by a disk or by Chiari....or some other issue as to what type of surgery or if it is a factor.

From what I can tell the syrinx is not located near nerves that would cause dizziness....C1 would be the area for dizziness.

If you can open your MRI and download a few pics you can post them to your profile page in a photo album...then let us know so we can take a look.

As far as a prognosis...it really depends on you....a syrinx can stay the same for long periods of time with no new or worsening symptoms or it can rapidly deteriorate with growth causing more compression of nerves....everyone that has one will have a different prognosis.....but typically they need attention ....be it monitoring or surgical to keep them from growing as then it could lead to perm nerve damage.

[MG18]

I also have bulging disk from C3 - C7. Could this cause the syrinx?

[MG18]

Yes I do have copy of my MRI. Should I post here? Although I do not know how to get images from it.

Syrinx that is located in C6 level can cause dizziness? The symptoms have been progressive. I had only dizziness for first 4 months. In month 5 I developed some on and off numbness of foot and hand on left side. Soon after that I have transient numbness of face and sometimes head. From all the research I could not find link between syrinx and dizziness.

Also what is the prognosis? I do not understand the language on report. What is anterior midline cervical cord? I saw some places that some of these syrinx are congenital defects specially if they are small.  I was very scared of having MS but now I feel like MS would be better than this.

Also what are the surgical options? I gather that I syrinx has to be big and causing problems. This disorder looks very less understood.

Do you know any good neuro surgeon or doctors in Atlanta, GA?

[selmaS]

  Hi MG and welcome to the Chiari forum.

Lesions that are typical for MS are found on the brain MRI and not on the cervical spine.....and it is identified as a syrinx. They are two very different issues/conditions.

Symptoms for each are similar as Chiari symptoms are also the same as those you mentioned above.

Do you have a copy of the MRI?