[Clare1980]

#29456

I had cauda equina syndrome in 2014 was misdiagnosed for 8 months and since then I’m still suffering pain
In October 2017 I had x2 mri scans
The first scan was with out contrast and says
L4/l5 nerve root suggestive of epidural fibrosis and asymmetrical crowding of the nerve roots of the cauda equina suggestive of cauda quina arachnoiditis
My 2nd mri performed 3 weeks later with contrast states
There is tethering of the cauda quina to the enhancing soft tissue within the epidural space consistent with postoperative fibrosis

A neurosurgeon and neurologist have both written to my doctor stating that my mri is fine and that their colleague did excellent surgery and that my ongoing problems are within the functional neurological disorder category I’ve twice asked what tethering of the cauda equina is and what arachnoiditis is and both times been told ( some people are born with it )
My question is which mri do I take notice of and should I request a second opinion from a specialist who has nothing to do with the hospital or surgeon neurologist and neurosurgeon who are currently dealing with me as their all colleagues .

[Donald Corenman, MD, DC]

#29457

Cauda equina syndrome is rarely missed as a diagnosis as this syndrome is painful, debilitating and involves bowel and bladder malfunction. That it was missed is a real problem. Should I assume you did not have surgery for this syndrome and the mass that caused it (massive disc herniation that fills up the entire canal normally) is now gone?

You do have arachnoiditis which can be painful but normally does not cause caudal equina syndrome by itself. I have never seen arachnoiditis congenitally but tethered cord does occasionally occur. The MRI picture for tethered cord looks very different than arachnoiditis. It never hurts to get other opinions.

See https://neckandback.com/conditions/arachnoiditis/ and https://neckandback.com/conditions/cauda-equina-syndrome/.

Dr. Corenman

PLEASE REMEMBER, THIS FORUM IS MEANT TO PROVIDE GENERAL INFORMATION ON SPINE ANATOMY, CONDITIONS AND TREATMENTS. TO GET AN ACCURATE DIAGNOSIS, YOU MUST VISIT A QUALIFIED PROFESSIONAL IN PERSON.
 
Donald Corenman, MD, DC is a highly-regarded spine surgeon, considered an expert in the area of neck and back pain. Trained as both a Medical Doctor and Doctor of Chiropractic, Dr. Corenman earned academic appointments as Clinical Assistant Professor and Assistant Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, and his research on spine surgery and rehabilitation has resulted in the publication of multiple peer-reviewed articles and two books.

[Clare1980]

#29460

I was sent into hospital February 2014 I had all symptoms of cauda equina syndrome I had loss of bowel and bladder function no reflex in both legs and feet I was dismissed for mri stating it was sciatica and sent home after 4 days I fought for 6 months to have mri and day after mri was rushed in and operated on theirs now been a legal battle for negligence as I had all sighns for 7 months after surgery I never recovered I still suffer foot drop chronic pain and double incontinence issues 6 months after surgery I started with pain in my neck shoulders arm and migraines with double vision fast forward 3 years fighting to see a neurologist and have another Mri without contrast it says cauda equina arachnoiditis 3 weeks later to have another with contrast saying it’s tethering of the cauda quina and postoperative fibrosis my question is how can arachnoiditis show on one mri and not another ?
My neurologist wrote to my doctors saying my mri results on both were fine I’ve only found out 12 months later it shows that on my mri my doctors are now questioning why it’s been kept quiet and stated my mri shows nothing I do know my neurologist and surgeon are colleagues so do I ask for second opinion and with completely new hospital so theirs no conflict of interest.
I have had a nearly 5 year battle with mistakes errors being dismissed as functional I can’t stand or sit long I can’t walk far wear a carbon fibre foot splint take medication for bladder use self irrigation for bowels sexual dysfunction and so on
I’ve had 13 months waiting just for 1 neurologist appointment but after my surgery my surgeon discharged me and was never seen again or followed up upon surely this is not normal .

[Clare1980]

#29462

I also suffer flare ups so if I do too much activity one day I really suffer the next day it’s put me in hospital 3 tines and all 3 tines they’ve said you’re emg test was ok apart from suboptimal muscle recruitment and they said that’s due to me not trying hard enough then tell me my mri is down as fine there for it’s functional neurological disorder and that it’s all in my head I literally don’t know where to turn to for help I know my symptoms fluctuate but it’s out of y control because I’m down as functional no one will treat me or take me seriously I now have horners syndrome which took over 2 years to diagnose because that was down as functional.

[Donald Corenman, MD, DC]

#29463

You need a good spine surgeon to take a careful look at you and determine what is going on. The symptoms don’t make sense with arachnoiditis and no significant canal compression unless you had a virus or some other type of infection that affected your nerve roots at the L5-S1 level. You also could have cord compression somewhere else (thoracic or cervical) that could help explain your symptoms. Horner’s syndrome could fit with a cervical disorder.

Dr. Corenman

PLEASE REMEMBER, THIS FORUM IS MEANT TO PROVIDE GENERAL INFORMATION ON SPINE ANATOMY, CONDITIONS AND TREATMENTS. TO GET AN ACCURATE DIAGNOSIS, YOU MUST VISIT A QUALIFIED PROFESSIONAL IN PERSON.
 
Donald Corenman, MD, DC is a highly-regarded spine surgeon, considered an expert in the area of neck and back pain. Trained as both a Medical Doctor and Doctor of Chiropractic, Dr. Corenman earned academic appointments as Clinical Assistant Professor and Assistant Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, and his research on spine surgery and rehabilitation has resulted in the publication of multiple peer-reviewed articles and two books.

[Clare1980]

#29465

I have a problem with cervical spine which is healing and have osteophytic impingements
My question is the lumbar spine Mri which says arachnoiditis then says tethering of the cauda quina to soft tissue consistent with postoperative fibrosis do I need a second opinion it’s been hinted to me that maybe theirs 2 things going on which is causing confusion one being my lumbar spine and other being my cervical spine .

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