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navel2
Guest
Had a MRI in Aug. Did not find a problem. Having a CT Myelogram Mar 2. Do you think theres a chance they will find something? Does it hurt? Thanks
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navel2
Guest
Why did you have a CT? I take it you had a MRI before the CT? How did they figure out you needed a fusion?
Thanks
Thanks
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brendaks1
Guest
There are lots of tests the doctors use - MRI, X-Rays, CT Scan, myelogram, discogram, etc., and each one has something they tend to show better than other tests.
Myelograms are really good at showing if there is any compression of the nerve roots, and yes, sometimes they show problems that MRI's or other tests may miss.
Be sure to do a search here on myelograms - lots of information and tips in the old posts about this test.
Myelograms are really good at showing if there is any compression of the nerve roots, and yes, sometimes they show problems that MRI's or other tests may miss.
Be sure to do a search here on myelograms - lots of information and tips in the old posts about this test.
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SpineAZ
Guest
Do you also have a follow up set up with an Orthopedic Spine Surgeon and/or Neurosurgeon? If not, please consider that as well. Was the MRI with contrast?
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SpineAZ
Guest
Most, if not all, of myelograms are done as "CT Myelogram" First they insert the dye and using a flouroscope type of machine they look to see where the dye goes, any areas of obstruction, etc. Then right after they do the CT portion. They want to do a CT right after as you have the dye in your body and they can get a very good resolution from a CT with dye.
For most spine patients first they start you with an x-ray. Then depending on what that shows the patient is referred for a CT or MRI or both. The x-ray only shows bone (though it can see abnormal gaps in bone such as areas where discs have collapsed). An MRI gets the best resoultion to see soft tissue and bone and CT gets a different kind of view.
So before a patient gets to spine surgery they usually have at least had a CT and MRI. In many cases this is followed by a CT Myelogram for further definition and to get a better view of the area that may have problems.
If you are scheduled for a CT Myelogram that means you will have a myelogram and a CT. The myelogram follows the dye though the structures. For me the myelogram helped show which nerves were impinged and by what (turned out to be bone spurs and disc material).
The CT Myelogram can hurt if (1) the dye they are using gets into your brain area. That causes a huge severe headache. I did have this with my cervical myelogram as they had to get the dye all the way to C2-3. (2) a myelogram involves a spinal tap and they get into the area of spinal fluid that surrounRAB the spinal cord. When they are done, if that area leaks any spinal fluid you can have a spinal headache. For some people the spinal headache is severe and requires they go back in for what is called a "blood patch" where a small amount of blood is used to patch the area that is leaking spinal fluid.
If you get a spinal headache you will know it. It's like no other headache you will have ever had before.
Does this information help? Anything else I can clarify for you?
For most spine patients first they start you with an x-ray. Then depending on what that shows the patient is referred for a CT or MRI or both. The x-ray only shows bone (though it can see abnormal gaps in bone such as areas where discs have collapsed). An MRI gets the best resoultion to see soft tissue and bone and CT gets a different kind of view.
So before a patient gets to spine surgery they usually have at least had a CT and MRI. In many cases this is followed by a CT Myelogram for further definition and to get a better view of the area that may have problems.
If you are scheduled for a CT Myelogram that means you will have a myelogram and a CT. The myelogram follows the dye though the structures. For me the myelogram helped show which nerves were impinged and by what (turned out to be bone spurs and disc material).
The CT Myelogram can hurt if (1) the dye they are using gets into your brain area. That causes a huge severe headache. I did have this with my cervical myelogram as they had to get the dye all the way to C2-3. (2) a myelogram involves a spinal tap and they get into the area of spinal fluid that surrounRAB the spinal cord. When they are done, if that area leaks any spinal fluid you can have a spinal headache. For some people the spinal headache is severe and requires they go back in for what is called a "blood patch" where a small amount of blood is used to patch the area that is leaking spinal fluid.
If you get a spinal headache you will know it. It's like no other headache you will have ever had before.
Does this information help? Anything else I can clarify for you?
N
navel2
Guest
Did they do an MRI on you first?
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navel2
Guest
My Neuro is the one that set up the MRI and now the Myelogram. He said he wants to see me after the test to go over results. The MRI from Aug. was done WITHOUT contrast.
I ruptured my L5-s1 in 1990. No surgery was done. It took a long time for the hellesh pain to go away. Ever since ive always had some sort of back and left leg pain. Now im fourty years old and i cant stand for to long or sit for long. I have some back pain but most of my problem is the sciatic pain that runs from my back to my left foot. I know its been a long time since the rupture but im sure the pain i have now is related to it.
The MRI in Aug. said Generalized disc bulge at L5-S1 with mild bilateral neural foraminal narrowing of the L5 neural forman left greater than the right.
Thanks
I ruptured my L5-s1 in 1990. No surgery was done. It took a long time for the hellesh pain to go away. Ever since ive always had some sort of back and left leg pain. Now im fourty years old and i cant stand for to long or sit for long. I have some back pain but most of my problem is the sciatic pain that runs from my back to my left foot. I know its been a long time since the rupture but im sure the pain i have now is related to it.
The MRI in Aug. said Generalized disc bulge at L5-S1 with mild bilateral neural foraminal narrowing of the L5 neural forman left greater than the right.
Thanks
S
SpineAZ
Guest
I hope the CT myelogram helps to get a definitive diagnosis. Not sure if they told you yet but the day of the CT myelogram you will remain at the facility for quite a few hours and you must remain laying flat. The last one I had was in October. The facility did the myelogram and then took me for the CT (very quick). Then I was transferred to a recovery/treatment area. Seemed like a bunch of patients in for a day treatment. I was held there for 6 hours after the test. Had a tv, was given lunch, etc. There we others there that seemed to be getting day treatments like IV treatments, chemo, dialysis, etc. Each f us had a mini room to rest in. Not bad, no spinal headache, but still had my back pain so they gave me some percocet.
I'm 43 and just had a L3-S1 fusion 3 weeks ago and it has helped a lot. My sciatic pain and other leg pain is gone. I get short bursts of it now but short lasting, the spine surgeon said that's normal due to post-op inflammation that comes and goes.
I'm 43 and just had a L3-S1 fusion 3 weeks ago and it has helped a lot. My sciatic pain and other leg pain is gone. I get short bursts of it now but short lasting, the spine surgeon said that's normal due to post-op inflammation that comes and goes.
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SpineAZ
Guest
My recent back problems started in April '09. In May I had x-ray and CT. Around August I had an MRI. Then CT Myelogram in October '09 since surgeon and I were discussing surgical options. In Noveraber I agreed surgery was needed and since it was to be long surgery I was assigned 2/3/10 (first available date for my type of surgery).
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Freetown
Guest
Each case/Dr. can be different too..
I've had 3 fusion surgeries over the last years and before each one..I have gotten only an MRI with contrast...never had a CT Myelogram, EMG's, or X-Rays for diagnostic purposes...I only have an X-ray the first month following a surgery to do a check on the fusion progress...
And when I got the MRI's...sugery was scheduled within 3 weeks since the herniations were so severe...
But as you can see on these boarRAB...it differs from the US and other countries on the protocol of tests or how long it takes for surgery...as well as depending on what symptoms a patient has and what a Dr. orders to discover the problem..
Personally...it seems if there is any type of nerve impingement or loss of feeling in lirabs...an MRI would be the best and fatest way to see the issue to determine if surgery is needed..but that's what I 'wish' would happen for people so they wouldn't have to suffer so long with endless tests and such..
Again..just wanted to show how it really can differ from person to person on this board..
I truly hope that you get a diagnosis and help with your pain as quickly as possible!
Take care
I've had 3 fusion surgeries over the last years and before each one..I have gotten only an MRI with contrast...never had a CT Myelogram, EMG's, or X-Rays for diagnostic purposes...I only have an X-ray the first month following a surgery to do a check on the fusion progress...
And when I got the MRI's...sugery was scheduled within 3 weeks since the herniations were so severe...
But as you can see on these boarRAB...it differs from the US and other countries on the protocol of tests or how long it takes for surgery...as well as depending on what symptoms a patient has and what a Dr. orders to discover the problem..
Personally...it seems if there is any type of nerve impingement or loss of feeling in lirabs...an MRI would be the best and fatest way to see the issue to determine if surgery is needed..but that's what I 'wish' would happen for people so they wouldn't have to suffer so long with endless tests and such..
Again..just wanted to show how it really can differ from person to person on this board..
I truly hope that you get a diagnosis and help with your pain as quickly as possible!
Take care