Question about Chiari??????

April 17, 1999

Hi Everyone! My name is Carly. I haven't been diagnosed with Chiari and i am

just learning about it. I have so many of the symtoms that you all describe and

was wondering if Chiari would be picked up on a MRI of the brain or if more

extensive testing would be needed. Also, Can a Radiologist pick it up on an MRI

or should it be read by a Neurologist.I have never been seen by a Neurologist,

but, i did have a MRI of the Brain, The Radiologist at the MRI center didn't

find anything, But, my primary was looking for M.S. not Chiari. I would really

appreciate any information on the subject.. Feel free to email me

with any info.. Thank you so much....Sincerely, Carly

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April 17, 1999

Hi Carly,

Like you, I was tested over and over again for MS, for 6 years to be exact, but

the tests kept coming back negative. Finally after an MRI of my brain in

November of " 98, a radiologist picked it up. The frustrating thing is that I

was just in the hospital in August of '98 and had an MRI and the Chiari showed

up there, but no one picked it up. After the radiologist picked it up in

November, I went to see two separate neurosurgeons, who both said it was Chiari

and that it was on the August MRI also. I don't think there is anymore testing

that is needed other than the MRI.

I would seek the opinion of a neurosurgeon, not a neurologist (just my opinion)

because one neurologist missed it also and told me I was having invisible

migraines. I'm not kidding.

Good luck,

Sheila

carlylo@... wrote:

> Hi Everyone! My name is Carly. I haven't been diagnosed with Chiari and i am

just learning about it. I have so many of the symtoms that you all describe and

was wondering if Chiari would be picked up on a MRI of the brain or if more

extensive testing would be needed. Also, Can a Radiologist pick it up on an MRI

or should it be read by a Neurologist.I have never been seen by a Neurologist,

but, i did have a MRI of the Brain, The Radiologist at the MRI center didn't

find anything, But, my primary was looking for M.S. not Chiari. I would really

appreciate any information on the subject.. Feel free to email me

with any info.. Thank you so much....Sincerely, Carly

>

> ------------------------------------------------------------------------

>

April 18, 1999

Carly,

An MRI is the ONLY way to diagnose Chiari. If you decide to have one, make sure

that the doctor and technician know to look for Chiari, and a syrinx. It is

very important that they know what they should be concentrating on, as it has

been dismissed as " not symptom-producing " by some doctors. WE all know that

this is ridiculous, but some doctors still require education. Good luck in your

quest for answers!!

Wendi--New Mexico

(Also, get COPIES of your MRI so that you have them if you need a second

opinion, etc.)