Spinal tumor

[robert brock]

I had a mri done and the findings were this. Small focus of myelopathy with myelomalacia involving spinal cord at c-5 & c-6. My doctor has sent me to a neurosurgeon but he wanted his own mri done and has not called me back to set up mri. My neurorlgist is concerned about a tumor. Couldnt this be a disc problem also? I have numbness and burning in left leg witn some right arm pain and stiff neck. Thank you. Rob

[CCF Neuro[P] MD, RPS]

Dear Rob:

It is unlikely that what you are describing is a simple herniation of the disc.  However, it is difficult to tell you with certainty without seeing the MRI.  What you don't tell me is whether a mass was found.  The description is one of previous insult (myelomalcia) and myelopathy (abnormal tissue).  This may have been the result of a previous injury or trauma such as an infectious process, toxin, or demyelinating process.  What the surgeon is looking for is if there is a mass, where is it located in the column.  Is it from the outside pushing in on the cord (tumor, trauma, lymphoma, myeloma, abscess, cervical or disc-chronic, rheumatoid arthritis), outside the spinal cord but inside the covering of the cord (meningioma, neurofibroma), or is it inside the cord proper (glioma, ependymoma, or arteriovenous malformation).

Sorry I am not much help.  As you can see, there are alot of possibilities.  I bet the MRI was either of poor quality (to the surgeon) or he/she needed more views.  Let us know what happens.

CCF Neuro MD

[robert brock]

My neurologist seems to think it is a mass and called it a epidural canal blockage. He took me off work until the neurosurgeon could say what he thinks. Since I have been off work (one week) my symtoms have improved alot and has left me thinking it could be disc problems. The only thing that has botherd me is a headache that gets worse when laying down. Anyway I will find out something monday.
                                         Rob