Zipperheads uk: pseudomeningocele

Monday 9 May 2011

pseudomeningocele

Hi everyone, just a little update to how things are with myself.
As most of you know, i am still having a lot of symptoms after decompression. Headaches, memory loss, vision problems, speech, pain, seizures, drop attacks, the list goes on.
I had a full MRI done in December 2010 and was told by my Syringomyelia nurse that my Neurosurgeon could do no more for me and that he was happy if i wanted to get a second opinion on the matter ? ( why would he say such a thing if he was so sure ). Anyway she basicaly told me that he could do no more for me surgicaly ( good news for me ).
I took the liberty of purchasing a copy of my MRI results . The reults are as follows.

Findings:

The small Pseudomeningocele at the craniovertebral junction is again demonstrated and appears unchanged since previous examination. The previously documented syrinx is no longer visible. The cord returns normal signal throughout the cervical, thoracic and lumbar region and the roots of the cauda equina appear unremarkable. A small posterior disc bulge is noted at L5/S1 level. There is however no evidence of neural compression.

That all sounded fine to me and i took it as gospel.

I recieved a letter from my NS in March , at the end it said " all i can do now is reasure Darren that he is not harbouring any serious or sinister disease process and i do not think that any further neurosurgical procedures are appropriate. If Darren wanted to meet with me and discuss matters face to face , then i would be happy to arrange a further appointment for him ".

I dont know if its me just feeling a bit touchy , but i found that bit of the letter very condecending.

I rang up his secretary and have booked a appointment for June and i will find out what can or cannot be done with this Pseudomeningocele, and could this be the cause of my problems.

Pseudomeningocele
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A pseudomeningocele is an abnormal collection of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) that communicates with the CSF space around the brain or spinal cord. In contrast to a meningocele, in which the fluid is surrounded and confined by dura mater, in a pseudomeningocele, the fluid has no surrounding membrane but is contained in a cavity within the soft tissues.

Pseudomeningocele may result after brain surgery, spine surgery, or brachial plexus avulsion injury.

Treatment for pseudomeningocele is conservative or may involve neurosurgical repair.

2 comments:

chiari 1 malformation said...: I am going in for surgery this week and hope I do not develop this condition. Thanks for sharing.; 12 May 2011 at 10:13
Anonymous said...: Hope you provide an update of your condition. I was diagnosed with CM in May 2012. Going on a year later, they're still running "tests"...I've gone through a myriad of feelings about surgery, and have decided there are certain things like syrinx and perhaps the meningocele you describe. I think our brains were not meant to be broken into, and that it's even harder to put it back together after properly after you do. My guess is that it's not real likely that any doctor can get it right using present technology. However, I can't really have CSF building up in my spine, rotting it from the inside out. It seems that we have to make the best decisions we can out of a lot of bad choices available. Wishing you the best with yours,; 12 February 2013 at 10:13

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Welcome

Hello and welcome to Zipperheads Chiari Blog. I have started this blog in order to help sufferers and their families and to raise awareness regards to this disorder and associated disorders. Like myself i felt alone and thought no one else could understand what i was going through. People seemed to think i was a hypocondriac . There was only my Parents who i could turn to as my Mother had Chiari in her early fourties over twenty years ago and underwent Decompression. I had difficulty getting my GP to help me as he believed i was suffering from depression and even after visiting numerous doctors , specialists and Neurologists they could not diagnose me. It was myself who finally found the problem after studying my MRI's and notes. It was also after joining another Blog that i truly found help and inspiration through others who have and still are suffering. No one truly knows and understands like a fellow sufferer. It is through total ignorance by others that there is no recognition to our problems. So please with help from you we can all help raise more awareness . Please feel free to sign up as a member.

What is Chiari Malformation

The Chiari malformation is an abnormality in the lower part of the brain called the cerebellum. There are several different forms. The most common type is the Chiari I malformation (CM) which this article addresses. Less commonly, it may be known as Arnold-Chiari malformation, tonsillar herniation or tonsillar ectopia. Most cases of Chiari are congenital, meaning they are present from birth.

In normal anatomy, the cerebellar tonsils are located just above this line called the foramen magnum. But in an individual with Chiari, the tonsils hang below the line (herniate) into the spinal canal. The degree to which the tonsils extend can vary tremendously.
What are the symptoms?

The most common symptom of Chiari malformation is a headache, which begins at the back of the head (neck) and radiates upward. The pain is often made worse or can be brought on by coughing, sneezing or straining. These activities are known as valsalva maneuvers.

Visual problems such as nystagmus (involuntary eye movements), double or blurred vision may occur. Balance difficulties, vertigo and dizziness also may be present. Some people may have cranial nerve compression. This can result in apnea (cessation of breathing), gagging, swallowing difficulties, facial numbness or syncope (temporary loss of consciousness).

Patients may have muscle weakness, particularly in the upper extremities, coordination problems, and gait abnormalities. Imaging of the spine may reveal a fluid collection inside of the spinal cord, known as a syrinx. Some individuals may have hydrocephalus, a buildup of fluid in the ventricles of the brain.

What is Syringomyelia

Syringomyelia, often referred to as SM, is a chronic disorder involving the spinal cord. The condition occurs when cerebrospinal fluid (normally found outside of the spinal cord and brain) enters the interior of the spinal cord, forming a cavity known as a syrinx.

This syrinx often expands and elongates over time, destroying the center of the spinal cord. As the nerve fibers inside the spinal cord are damaged, a wide variety of symptoms can occur, depending upon the size and location of the syrinx.

There are two major types of SM. In most cases it is related to a congenital malformation involving the hindbrain (cerebellum) called a Chiari I Malformation. This malformation occurs during fetal development and is characterized by downward displacement of the lower part of the brain (cerebellar tonsils) beneath the foramen magnum, into the cervical spinal canal. This displacement blocks the normal flow of cerebrospinal fluid. When normal flow is obstructed, a syrinx can form in the spinal cord. Not all patients with Chiari Malformations will develop a syrinx, however.

SM can also occur as a complication of trauma, meningitis, tumor, arachnoiditis, or a tethered spinal cord. In these cases the syrinx forms in the section of the spinal cord damaged by these conditions. As more people are surviving spinal cord injuries, more cases of post-traumatic SM are being diagnosed as the syrinx can form years after the trauma.

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Monday 9 May 2011

pseudomeningocele

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