syrnix c7-t10 arm/shoulder/neck/back pain

[ssimp12626]

Hello.  Around 6 months ago I began experiencing migrating burning, aching, and shooting down the arm and shoulder pain and now I can't lift my arm above my head or put behind back.   Also experience neck pain and under the arm pain.  I've experienced chronic upper back pain for 12 years but this arm pain and the returning neck pain that I had gotten rid of years of ago after fusion has reared its ugly head.   I had an emg which turned out normal.  My background-  I had a cervical fusion c5-6 11 yrs ago.  T3-4 was shunted 10 yrs ago and another syrnix t8-t-10 and spinal cord atrophy at that level .  I had another MRI 2 weeks ago to check the neck and thoracic and they found syrnix from c7-t10  which was there on the last scan I had in Oct of last year but they missed it so I don't know how long its been there that they haven't noted it in the report.  I know it wasn't there 10 years ago when they shunted t3-4 because I went to an expert and I had numerous tests and I'm sure they wouldn't of missed that.  Until now they have only noted the one cavity at t8-t10 because the shunt at t3-4 supposedly collappsed it.  My questions are could my arm and shoulder pain be related to the syrnix and how can the syrnix go from c7-t10 if I have a shunt at t3-t4 does that mean its not working anymore.  Thanks for any information you might have.

[ssimp12626]

Hi.  Thank you for your response.   I used to up till about 8 years ago experience severe neck pain but no radiating arm pain and 11 years I had a c5-6 fusion.  My therapist said since I had the fusion I'm now limited to the modalities that they can perform such as traction and ultrasound.  I just can't believe after 8 years of relief of neck pain it came back following my migrating arm pain.  I've been on a lot of pain medication for my upper back pain and gabapentain but it really does not do well at controlling it.  I was to get a pain pump but had problems with the insertion a few years ago so now it has to be put in by a neurosurgeon.  
By any chance would you know what this means I had a MRI scan 8 yrs ago and the terminology was confusing my doctor was supposed to find out what it meant but he left so nobody has ever answered my question and it has not been mentioned on any other scans but it seems that scans are open to interpretation as the scan I had in October my syrnix cavity was from c7-t10 but wasn't noted in the report  until the scan I just had in August so I don't know how long it has been (I get scans yearly and sometimes twice a year) there so what I'm about to post might still be on my scans but might not be in the reports.  "There is a slight kink noted at the level of the C1 and C2 area anteriorly at the base of skull causing slight compression of the subarachnoid space.  Slight hypertrophy of the ligaments are noted at the level of C1 and c2 causing a slight kink of the cervical medullary junction.  These finding should be correlated clinically."  I wonder if this could be causing my almost daily headaches, and double vision, etc.  Thanks again for your response.  SS

[Dr. A. Srivastava]

Hi, Thank you for your question. I think your symptoms may be due to nerve irritation in the cervical (neck) spine because of cervical disc bulge. This pain may be referred and perceived as occurring in the back of head & shoulders (as it blades)- LHERMITTES SIGN, arms or chest, rather than just the neck. Other symptoms may include vertigo, nausea (dizziness) and stiffness. It will be best that you consult a neurologist who would like to prescribe Pain killers, steroid and muscle relaxants. Other treatments could be cervical orthosis such as a soft cervical collar or stiffer neck brace to restrict neck movement till you get complete recovery. In addition, cervical traction may also be suggested by the doctor, if condition is severe. Hope this helps.

[ssimp12626]

Hi.  Thanks for the response.

[Londres70]

Unfortunately, I do not know much about syrnix conditions.  

I know they discuss this condition quite often in the Chiari Forum.  You can post there as well.  

All the best.