MRI Feedback Please (begging)

[HAF75]

Hi everyone..this is my first post..brief background..I am 34, have had migraines my whole life but I have dealt with them. In 2007 I started having severe memory loss (think having to pull over in the middle of a rain storm because I couldn't remember how to turn on the wipers in my car) and tingling in my fingers..was referred to a Neurologist who from the first minute I met him blew me off. I had an MRI that he himself read (not a radiologist) the report simply said "Normal". I had no follow up and in my notes before i had the MRI he said he anticipated that it would in fact be Normal.
Now 2010, my memory loss has gotten worse and I'm having more symptoms, visual issues, dizziness, pain...just had an MRI ordered from my regular doc and here is the report...can anyone decode what it means for me???

Minimal cerebellar tonsillar ectopia is present. Dilated perivascular spaces are present within the substantia innominata on the basis of normal anatomic variation. The right hippocampus appears smaller that the left as best seen on previous coronal images. There is no evidence of cerebral mass, mass effect, ferromagnetic blood products, increasted diffusion-weighted signal or extracerebral collection.
1. No interval change
2. The right hippocampus appears small which is likely on a atrophic basis

Feedback anone? Please??

[Dr. A. Srivastava]

Thank you for your question. Although without being able to examine you I can not offer you the specific advice on diagnosis and treatment that you need, but I would try to provide you some relevant information about your health concern.

I can understand your worrying concern about long term migraine headaches and no sure success treatments that you have tried. Generally, one sided headache & orbital pain (eye pain) with numbness symptoms could be suggestive of migraine. Cerebral atrophy found evident in MRI reports could be the potential reason for its persistent. Additionally, the mainstay of the migraine treatment is always to identify the triggering factors and to avoid them. Triggering factors could be different foods such as cheese, chocolate, alcohol and even few fruits. Other factors that may induce your migraine attack may be contraceptive pills, stress or depression, bright lights, loud noise and traveling. Few women experience headache more commonly during the time of their menstrual periods & at the time of hormonal imbalance. I would suggest careful record of events that have proceeded with the attack and avoid those factors. In addition, try to rest in a dark & quiet room, meditate, have a balanced diet and avoid taking unnecessary drugs. Even then if you suffer continuous headache, please arrange an appointment with a neurologist right away who will evaluate the further underlying disorders by clinically examine you & ordering MRI or CT scan here that may be the main reasons of your migraine attacks and can provide you an appropriate treatment. Hope this information proves helpful to you. Take Care & Regards!!!

[selmaS]

I can say with personal experience that yes sound and light sensitivity is a symptom of chiari.
Sound and multiple conversations going on could drive me crazy.Comprehension also is a problem.

[LivingInHope]

We can hope that the radiologist knew what he was speaking of when the expressed the opinion it was a normal anatomical variation.  I found something for you specifically on the subject.  See PM.

[HAF75]

Thank you all for the great info..i have a lot of reading to do.

Does anyone know if the dilated perivascular spaces are  indicative if anything? Googling only leads me to mild traumatic brain injury which doesnt make sense in my case..i dont think.
One more thing i have been experiencing for a while
is extreme sound sensitIvity..reading that is sometimes a Symptom of chiari malformation?

[LivingInHope]

Even a small degree of tonsillar ectopia can produce signs and symptoms.  And the hippocampus is the part of the brain important for learning and memory.  Atrophic phase means a wasting or decrease in size of the right hippocampus.  See PM for more info.

[Londres70]

Is there any way you can get a copy of the first MRI report that you had in which the NL stated it was "normal?"; just as a comparison between the two MRI reports.  

Secondly, the concern to me is the cerebellar tonsillar ectopia which match the  symptoms that you are having.  It is another way of saying your cerebellar tonsils are low lying; abnormal.  I don't know how low they are, but someone needs to find out.  Put your post in the Chiari Malformation Forum too.  I am not sure, but this might be a possible diagnosis.  I would definitely follow up with a NL/NS, preferable NOT the original one you saw and "blew you off."; someone who familiar with Chiari Malformations.

You are NOT alone.  Alot of people get told their MRI was "normal" but in reality it was NOT, especially with the low lying cerebellar tonsils and labeled crazy to add insult to injury.  

Keep us posted.  

[selmaS]

sorry I forgot to add...u deff need a true chiari specialist to help u .

[selmaS]

Hi..well u have to remember that these reports r someone's opinion......
The tonsils that ur report say minimal to, may be ur issue. Chiari malformation can affect u regardless of the size of herniation....some med schools say nething larger than 5 mm is considered chiari...when there r others that believe ne herniation, overcrowding and CSF blockage need to be addressed. But, if they stop looking bcuz they feel it is minimal u may never know if u have a blockage or overcrowding;

I am not saying u have chiari that needs addressing...but, I would at least have ur drs look at it closer.Many of ur symptoms do fit the chiari list of symptoms.

Please stop by the Chiari forum here on MedHelp    http://www.medhelp.org/forums/Chiari-Malformation/show/257?camp=msc

Good luck
"selma"