Can you look at my MRI?

[Chiari_mom]

I have a son with Chiari and a daughter who is getting evaluated for it next week. I also have another child that I am a bit concerned about.

I had an MRI done 2 years ago and just picked up the CD. I was wondering if any of you who are more experienced than me could tell me if this looks like Chiari to you. Thanks in advance.

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b212/lovemyblessings/MRI/MRIscan0011.jpg

[maridane]

but in looking at your MRI I would have to say that it definitely looks like there is herniation there. Do you have the written report for this MRI? If it were me I certainly would be investigating this further. Good Luck to you.
Marilyn

[Chiari_mom]

Thank you for your input. Can you explain at all what it is you see? I know it's hard without being able to point. I was wondering about the area that appears to be bone that's kind of pointing up to the cerebellum. Is that c1? Is that line type thing just above it the level you don't want the cerebellum to extend below? TIA!

[LIZARD]

Hey, Chiari_mom. :)

I back Marilyn on this. :( If you google "brain images," you can probably find some pics of a normal-looking cerebellum. Normally, the bottom of it would look more rounded and not "sticking out," if that makes any sense.


LIZARD, also not a doc but looked at lots of MRIs :rolleyes:

[Chiari_mom]

Thanks. I have googled Chiari MRI and Brain MRI and While I don't look like a lot of the Chiari images, I don't look like a lot of the normal ones, either.

I'm taking my daughter to be evaluated for Chiari next week. What do you think the chances are that her pediatric NSG would be willing to look at my MRI images? Is it worth asking?

[krashleen]

Yes bring the images and have the pediatric NSG look them over.

I am not as good as Liz or Marilyn at viewing MRI's, but I do have to agree that something isn't quite right here with your MRI's.

[LIZARD]

What do you think the chances are that her pediatric NSG would be willing to look at my MRI images? Is it worth asking?

It sure doesn't hurt to ask. :)


Good luck...

LIZARD :)

[Chiari_mom]

I am not as good as Liz or Marilyn at viewing MRI's, but I do have to agree that something isn't quite right here with your MRI's.

Thanks. I mean, no one wants to hear that their MRI isn't quite right, but if there is something out of the ordinary, it would explain the years of constant headaches that we called migraines but have never come with an aura! :D

[maridane]

Thank you for your input. Can you explain at all what it is you see? I know it's hard without being able to point. I was wondering about the area that appears to be bone that's kind of pointing up to the cerebellum. Is that c1? Is that line type thing just above it the level you don't want the cerebellum to extend below? TIA!

Do you see the P on your MRI? Drop below that about a quarter of an inch and then draw an imaginary line from there across toward the nostrils, now just below that imaginary line you will see that the bottom of your cerebellum is actually a bit below that line. Can you see it? I hope this helps... I agree with Kathy and Lizard, take the MRI's with you and who knows, if he really knows anything about chiari he might take a look, certainly wouldn't hurt.
Good Luck to you and please if he discourages you, let us know.... I really believe that there is something there that needs to be looked at and I pray for your sake he knows his chiari..
God Bless, Marilyn

[Chiari_mom]

Thanks! This is the Chief of Neurosurgery at our Children's Hospital and also the one who did my son's Chiari decompression in June, so hopefully he can tell me with accuracy if he sees anythings. Of course, at this point I can't even guarentee he will look, but I can hope!

[krashleen]

Keep us posted.. we are here and listening..

[Chiari_mom]

The pediatric NSG my daughter saw said he couldn't really tell much and suggested I get a flow study. However, I e-mailed Dr. Frim and this was his response:

Though I would have to look at the whole study to really say much, there is one image that suggests that your cerebellar tonsils are a mm or 2 below the foramen magnum. Beyond that I can’t really determine what is going on. Do you see a neurologist who might be able t help you with all this?


What would you do from here? I'm 31w2d pregnant, so I'm not going to be able to do much right now.

[LIZARD]

The pediatric NSG my daughter saw said he couldn't really tell much and suggested I get a flow study. However, I e-mailed Dr. Frim and this was his response:



What would you do from here? I'm 31w2d pregnant, so I'm not going to be able to do much right now.

:( You might have to wait until after the baby's born to do anything. Maybe E him back and tell him?


LIZARD, who feels for you! :(

[Chiari_mom]

Is 1-2 mm of herniation with the only symptom being migraine type of headaches enough to even follow up on?

My son had decompression surgery for a 4mm herniation and is doing so great now.

My daughter is waiting to be scheduled for an MRI and then we'll see if she even has it.

[maridane]

you are only having mild symptoms then I would suggest maybe an MRI either once a year or maybe even every two years. You really don't want or need to do surgery unless you are experiencing symptom progression and the chiari is effecting your quality of daily life.

For now, if it were me, I would settle for an MRI every couple of years. Good Luck to you and please keep us posted on not only your progress but the children as well..... God Bless, Marilyn

[jgoldie]

I agree that this looks like herniation/maybe also lack of CSF space behind cerebellum. I have a minimal herniation (less than 2mm) and have wicked symptoms. I was diagnosed at the Chiari Institute in NY after many local neuros. missed this. Personally, I wouldn't go anywhere else for info or if I do the surgery in the future. Send them a copy of the mri/report and they'll look at it and schedule an appt if needed. They're great.
good luck!!

[dhurlebaus]

You can check out my website. WWW.STUDIOSAFARI.COM
go to the Arnold Chiari link. There is a picture of my MRI scan there. Click it and it will appear larger. It page also lists my symptoms and surgery results. Good Luck .... Dawn

[krashleen]

jgoldie, I don't know if TCI is accepting MRI films any longer for their free review. They were getting so many from people across the country that I think they started charging for them.

My advice? Call or email TCI and see if they can send out a new patient packet, and go from there.

TCI books consultations around 3 months out..at least thats what I have heard.