Anyone Know About CT Scans & MRIs? X Post
I just got my results back from my CT scan and MRI. There were 2 things that stood out to me.
On my CT scan there was this:
Impression: No no acute intra-cranial abnormality. Lucent focus in
the right occipital bone is most likely a venous lake. Comparison
with prior studies, if these could be made available, could prove
helpful in confirming stability.
The reason I want to know about this is because my pain is in the occipital region.
And with the MRI there is this:
FINDINGS:
Soft tissues: No edema or masses.
Bones: Normal alignment. Marrow signal appropriate for age.
Cord: No mass, signal abnormality, or syrinx.
Upper Thoracic: Normal
C1-2: Normal
C2-3: Disk desiccation. No central canal or foraminal stenosis.
C3-4: Disk desiccation. No central canal or foraminal stenosis.
C4-5: Disk desiccation. Minimal central disk protrusion partially
effacing the ventral thecal sac. No foraminal stenosis. No
significant central canal stenosis.
C5-6: Disk desiccation. Minimal disk bulge. No significant
central canal or foraminal stenosis.
C6-7: Normal
C7-T1: Normal
Additional Comments: Incidental right perineural cyst at T1-T2.
I am especially concerned about the perineural cyst at T1-T2. From what I have read this can cause headaches. My PCP doesn't think any of these finding can cause symptoms. Hello? I am having symptoms. I have been for 2 weeks. Is it just a coincidence that I have them? She gave me a referral to a pain clinic. I told her I didn't think PT was doing me any good. I also asked her if I could see a neurologist.
On my CT scan there was this:
Impression: No no acute intra-cranial abnormality. Lucent focus in
the right occipital bone is most likely a venous lake. Comparison
with prior studies, if these could be made available, could prove
helpful in confirming stability.
The reason I want to know about this is because my pain is in the occipital region.
And with the MRI there is this:
FINDINGS:
Soft tissues: No edema or masses.
Bones: Normal alignment. Marrow signal appropriate for age.
Cord: No mass, signal abnormality, or syrinx.
Upper Thoracic: Normal
C1-2: Normal
C2-3: Disk desiccation. No central canal or foraminal stenosis.
C3-4: Disk desiccation. No central canal or foraminal stenosis.
C4-5: Disk desiccation. Minimal central disk protrusion partially
effacing the ventral thecal sac. No foraminal stenosis. No
significant central canal stenosis.
C5-6: Disk desiccation. Minimal disk bulge. No significant
central canal or foraminal stenosis.
C6-7: Normal
C7-T1: Normal
Additional Comments: Incidental right perineural cyst at T1-T2.
I am especially concerned about the perineural cyst at T1-T2. From what I have read this can cause headaches. My PCP doesn't think any of these finding can cause symptoms. Hello? I am having symptoms. I have been for 2 weeks. Is it just a coincidence that I have them? She gave me a referral to a pain clinic. I told her I didn't think PT was doing me any good. I also asked her if I could see a neurologist.
WLS 10/28/2002 Revision 7/23/2010
High Weight (2002) 240 Revision Weight (2010) 220 Current Weight 115.
Do you think the disk problems might be related to my headaches? I asked my doctor about a referral to a neurologist but she seems to think my problem is due to my neck.
So the cyst and venous lake aren't any big deal?
So the cyst and venous lake aren't any big deal?
WLS 10/28/2002 Revision 7/23/2010
High Weight (2002) 240 Revision Weight (2010) 220 Current Weight 115.
Well I'm seeing a both a neurologist and a spine doctor based on my neck pain and my rampant headaches (not to mention my collapse)
My neurologist believes that the occipital headaches I've been getting might be alleviated with an occipital nerve block.
It's interesting to read your report which is very similar to my own report I just got this last week. Unfortunately I don't know anything about the perineural cyst, but the way they mention the cyst it doesn't sound problematic. "Incidental"
My neurologist believes that irritation of the occipital nerves is causing the pain. Next Friday I'll have the nerve block. (a couple of shots in the head.... yay)
The day after I saw my neurologist I saw the spinal specialists (with whom I have a pleasant history and more faith!) and they don't know if the occipital nerve block will help with the underlying pain issue, though it won't interfere with any treatment for my neck problems.
The spine people felt (along with my PCP) that the neck findings were more important in explaining my issues more than my head findings which were mostly normal except for some (insert technical term here) that indicates I suffer from long-term chronic headaches (tell me something I didn't know!)
My spine people are having me try physical therapy. They don't sound too optimistic that it will help, but consider it the less invasive choice. If it doesn't help after two or three visits, or if it gets WORSE, then they'll want me to discontinue and then go with frying the nerves that transmit pain from the neck.
It does sound like you need to see a nuerologist. Good luck, I wish I could tell you something.
My neurologist believes that the occipital headaches I've been getting might be alleviated with an occipital nerve block.
It's interesting to read your report which is very similar to my own report I just got this last week. Unfortunately I don't know anything about the perineural cyst, but the way they mention the cyst it doesn't sound problematic. "Incidental"
My neurologist believes that irritation of the occipital nerves is causing the pain. Next Friday I'll have the nerve block. (a couple of shots in the head.... yay)
The day after I saw my neurologist I saw the spinal specialists (with whom I have a pleasant history and more faith!) and they don't know if the occipital nerve block will help with the underlying pain issue, though it won't interfere with any treatment for my neck problems.
The spine people felt (along with my PCP) that the neck findings were more important in explaining my issues more than my head findings which were mostly normal except for some (insert technical term here) that indicates I suffer from long-term chronic headaches (tell me something I didn't know!)
My spine people are having me try physical therapy. They don't sound too optimistic that it will help, but consider it the less invasive choice. If it doesn't help after two or three visits, or if it gets WORSE, then they'll want me to discontinue and then go with frying the nerves that transmit pain from the neck.
It does sound like you need to see a nuerologist. Good luck, I wish I could tell you something.
~Lady Lithia~ 200 lbs lost!
March 9, 2011 - Coccygectomy!
I chased my dreams, and my dreams, they caught me!
OMG, it sounds exactly like what has been going on with me. My PCP also believes the problem is my neck, not my head. I was referred to PT and went once but the PT said my problem is from my posture and gave me some exercises to do. The exercises didn't help and actually made me hurt more. Then another doctor I saw said it was because I have scoliosis, which I had never been told before. She also wanted me to go to PT. I told my PCP that I didn't feel that PT would help so she referred me to the pain clinic. I am hoping to get a nerve block, too, to help diagnosis what the issue is.
Strange how we are going through similar things.
This just came out of the blue, although it did start right when I was exercising, after I used the rowing machine. I am wondering if I somehow managed to injure myself. I have pain in the back of my head but also my neck hurts a great deal, too.
I have to wait for the pain clinic to get back to me. I guess they have to have a discussion with some board to see if I am an appropriate candidate for it. I hope I get in soon. I feel like my life is on hold until I get some kind of relief. The pain is fairly constant and significant and I don't like to drive if I am taking pain meds. Unfortunately the pain meds don't even seem to be helping me anymore.
I hope we both get better soon.
Strange how we are going through similar things.
This just came out of the blue, although it did start right when I was exercising, after I used the rowing machine. I am wondering if I somehow managed to injure myself. I have pain in the back of my head but also my neck hurts a great deal, too.
I have to wait for the pain clinic to get back to me. I guess they have to have a discussion with some board to see if I am an appropriate candidate for it. I hope I get in soon. I feel like my life is on hold until I get some kind of relief. The pain is fairly constant and significant and I don't like to drive if I am taking pain meds. Unfortunately the pain meds don't even seem to be helping me anymore.
I hope we both get better soon.
WLS 10/28/2002 Revision 7/23/2010
High Weight (2002) 240 Revision Weight (2010) 220 Current Weight 115.
Very similar. In some ways eerily similar!
In my case I was having significant daily headaches since about September (but was also under, and am still under a signficant amount of daily stress). Then on hubby's birthday (Feb 19th) I collapsed, which sent me on my journey through PCP, Neurologist, MRI, and then spine doctor. The most interesting factor for me is that from the day I collapsed (no idea why that happened)... my headaches have gone from daily but manageable to acute and not really well managed and now my mild neck pain is much more severe. I have pain that is bad enough to cause me nausea.
Being on a pain contract, I have access to pain meds, and I have used them freely (before my collapse generally I didn't quite use the max dosage, which meant I had extras)..... and since I collapsed I've been using, frankly, more than prescribed. My PCP even uppedd the dosage and it's still barely helping.
It really sounds like you should see a neurologist, or try the occipital nerve block. My spine doc feels that is worth a shot. In truth my neck findings were much more ominous than yours. All my disks are deteriorating, and I have moderate to severe arthritis pretty much in my entire spine (thank GOD I don't still carry 200 extra pounds around with me).... I have a feeling they'll be eventually deadening the feeling n my spine... which means I'll still have deteriorating disks, still have pain, and there's nothing much to do about it.
I hope you find something out soon!!!
In my case I was having significant daily headaches since about September (but was also under, and am still under a signficant amount of daily stress). Then on hubby's birthday (Feb 19th) I collapsed, which sent me on my journey through PCP, Neurologist, MRI, and then spine doctor. The most interesting factor for me is that from the day I collapsed (no idea why that happened)... my headaches have gone from daily but manageable to acute and not really well managed and now my mild neck pain is much more severe. I have pain that is bad enough to cause me nausea.
Being on a pain contract, I have access to pain meds, and I have used them freely (before my collapse generally I didn't quite use the max dosage, which meant I had extras)..... and since I collapsed I've been using, frankly, more than prescribed. My PCP even uppedd the dosage and it's still barely helping.
It really sounds like you should see a neurologist, or try the occipital nerve block. My spine doc feels that is worth a shot. In truth my neck findings were much more ominous than yours. All my disks are deteriorating, and I have moderate to severe arthritis pretty much in my entire spine (thank GOD I don't still carry 200 extra pounds around with me).... I have a feeling they'll be eventually deadening the feeling n my spine... which means I'll still have deteriorating disks, still have pain, and there's nothing much to do about it.
I hope you find something out soon!!!
~Lady Lithia~ 200 lbs lost!
March 9, 2011 - Coccygectomy!
I chased my dreams, and my dreams, they caught me!
I would recommend you go to see a pain specialist for 2 reasons - they specialize in spinal disorders and also headaches. They will know exactly what these findings mean and how to treat them.
I see a pain management doctor every month for my back and he just sent me for an MRI of my lumbar spine. I was actually having pain in my hip but he knew enough that the pain in my hip could be referred pain from spine and sure enough he was right. He called today to say that there was a disc herniation with nerve root impingement, spinal stenosis and many other things that he said he would go over with me on Tuesday at my appointment. He said he would most likely try to give me epidural injections and possibly have me try some physical therapy to see if it would help. The pain started at my hip but is now going down my leg and is unbearable but my back doesn't hurt - so you dont always know where the root of the problem is coming from.
For the CT Of the Brain = I am not sure what it means, let them compare it anything old you have if you do so they can see if it is a new finding - if it is something that has been there for years and hasnt' changed, then it probably means nothing. If it is new, then they have to figure out what it means. You will probably need an MRI
For the headaches - have you had sinus CT's? Sometimes sinus's can cause severe headaches, even tootaches.
From your MRI of the cervical spine from what I understand - disc desciscation is basically early stages of degenerative disc disease or arthritis - it is when the disc lose the fluid between the vertabrae.
C4-5 you have what is the beginnings of disc herniation but a mild one
C5-6 - bulging disc not yet herniating through - this is very common with degerative disc disease
everything I could find about a I would recommend you go to see a pain specialist for 2 reasons - they specialize in spinal disorders and also headaches. They will know exactly what these findings mean and how to treat them.
I see a pain management doctor every month for my back and he just sent me for an MRI of my lumbar spine. I was actually having pain in my hip but he knew enough that the pain in my hip could be referred pain from spine and sure enough he was right. He called today to say that there was a disc herniation with nerve root impingement, spinal stenosis and many other things that he said he would go over with me on Tuesday at my appointment. He said he would most likely try to give me epidural injections and possibly have me try some physical therapy to see if it would help. The pain started at my hip but is now going down my leg and is unbearable but my back doesn't hurt - so you dont always know where the root of the problem is coming from.
From your MRI of the cervical spine from what I understand - disc desciscation is basically early stages of degenerative disc disease or arthritis - it is when the disc lose the fluid between the vertabrae.
C4-5 you have what is the beginnings of disc herniation but a mild one
C5-6 - bulging disc not yet herniating through - this is very common with degerative disc disease
Everything that I could find about a perineural cyst was talking about them at the sacral level - there was nothing mentioned about them at the thorasaic level which is where yours is, so I am hoping that is a good thing.
Honestly a neurolost would do what you already did - you already went for the CT of the head and the MRI of the C spine, the neuro would probably also order an MRI of your head which you could get if you went to a pain clinic but the pain clinic would be better equipt to treat your cervical spine issues. YOu do have a slight herniated disc and you might benefit from an injection or something else they have to offer and yes, PT is very good for this.]\\
at this point for me, I dont care who the doctor is that I have to see or what I have to do, I just want the pain to go away - I am ready to cut my leg off. I have been walking with a walker for the past 2 months which is really sad at the age of 49.
I wish you luck and do hope you will get the help you need.
I see a pain management doctor every month for my back and he just sent me for an MRI of my lumbar spine. I was actually having pain in my hip but he knew enough that the pain in my hip could be referred pain from spine and sure enough he was right. He called today to say that there was a disc herniation with nerve root impingement, spinal stenosis and many other things that he said he would go over with me on Tuesday at my appointment. He said he would most likely try to give me epidural injections and possibly have me try some physical therapy to see if it would help. The pain started at my hip but is now going down my leg and is unbearable but my back doesn't hurt - so you dont always know where the root of the problem is coming from.
For the CT Of the Brain = I am not sure what it means, let them compare it anything old you have if you do so they can see if it is a new finding - if it is something that has been there for years and hasnt' changed, then it probably means nothing. If it is new, then they have to figure out what it means. You will probably need an MRI
For the headaches - have you had sinus CT's? Sometimes sinus's can cause severe headaches, even tootaches.
From your MRI of the cervical spine from what I understand - disc desciscation is basically early stages of degenerative disc disease or arthritis - it is when the disc lose the fluid between the vertabrae.
C4-5 you have what is the beginnings of disc herniation but a mild one
C5-6 - bulging disc not yet herniating through - this is very common with degerative disc disease
everything I could find about a I would recommend you go to see a pain specialist for 2 reasons - they specialize in spinal disorders and also headaches. They will know exactly what these findings mean and how to treat them.
I see a pain management doctor every month for my back and he just sent me for an MRI of my lumbar spine. I was actually having pain in my hip but he knew enough that the pain in my hip could be referred pain from spine and sure enough he was right. He called today to say that there was a disc herniation with nerve root impingement, spinal stenosis and many other things that he said he would go over with me on Tuesday at my appointment. He said he would most likely try to give me epidural injections and possibly have me try some physical therapy to see if it would help. The pain started at my hip but is now going down my leg and is unbearable but my back doesn't hurt - so you dont always know where the root of the problem is coming from.
From your MRI of the cervical spine from what I understand - disc desciscation is basically early stages of degenerative disc disease or arthritis - it is when the disc lose the fluid between the vertabrae.
C4-5 you have what is the beginnings of disc herniation but a mild one
C5-6 - bulging disc not yet herniating through - this is very common with degerative disc disease
Everything that I could find about a perineural cyst was talking about them at the sacral level - there was nothing mentioned about them at the thorasaic level which is where yours is, so I am hoping that is a good thing.
Honestly a neurolost would do what you already did - you already went for the CT of the head and the MRI of the C spine, the neuro would probably also order an MRI of your head which you could get if you went to a pain clinic but the pain clinic would be better equipt to treat your cervical spine issues. YOu do have a slight herniated disc and you might benefit from an injection or something else they have to offer and yes, PT is very good for this.]\\
at this point for me, I dont care who the doctor is that I have to see or what I have to do, I just want the pain to go away - I am ready to cut my leg off. I have been walking with a walker for the past 2 months which is really sad at the age of 49.
I wish you luck and do hope you will get the help you need.
Most Active
Recent Topics