here is the findings on the mri of the c spine. anyone who can explain: I will also post emg results:
mri findings: there is mild anterior loss of height of c5 and c6 vertebral bodies. Multilevel disc desiccation is noted with mild dorsal bulges at c45 through c7-T1, that efface the ventral csf space, and indent the ventral aspect of the cord at c5-6. Though no discrete intrameduallary T2 prolongation is noted at this time, clinical exclusion of myelopathy is recommended.
emg: results abnormal fibrillation potentials in the left extensor digitorum communis, abductor digiti minimi, and abductor pollicis brevis, fascullations potentials in the left EDC and brachioradialis. an increase incidence of long duration motor unit action potentials MUAP in the left c6-T1 myotomes, T10 thoracic paraspinal muscles and vastus lutrigalis, and an increase incidence of polyphasic MUAPS, in the left APB, brachiordialis and T10
paraspinal muscle and reduced recruitment OF MUAPS in the left c6 -T1 innervated muscles, vastus lateralis and right APB.
ncs: abnormal: reduced amplitude of the left median and ulnar compound muscle action potential CMAP. An increase in distal left median and ulnar motor and absent left median mimimum F wave latencies and reduced left median motor nerve conduction velocity across the upper arm.
My hubby started out about 7 months ago with his little finger not moving side to side. then his thumb lost muscle and hand is atrophied. No other weakness and not completely weak, he can make a hard fist and can touch all fingers, etc. Just the 50% weakness in left thumb and pinky and atrophy.
Any ideas what we are looking at?
It sounds like your husband is basically in good health but has one mysterious and persistent problem. ALS generally presents with muscle weakness, as well as spasticity and other symptoms, all of which tend to progress quickly. Other motor neuron diseases are similar. So a lack of change over time in your husband would be, in one sense, a good sign. But ALS, like multiple sclerosis and related disorders, are diagnoses of exclusion, so watching, testing, and waiting is the approach taken.
Possibilities here are many and varied, from nerve compression or entrapment at any location from the neck to the wrist, local blood supply problems due to peculiar bone formation or trauma, or a problem in his central nervous system (i.e.: spinal cord or brain) as relates to the affected hand and arm, or multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, etc. All scary, I realize, and all unlikely.
A physiatrist (rehabilitation medicine specialist) would perhaps be worth seeing if you haven't already.