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Hello, I Have A Syrinx In C6/7 And I Struggle
Question: hello, i have a syrinx in c6/7 and i struggle a lot with numbness particularly in my legs and arms. this happens when i am sleeping i often wake up with both arms that are numb and take ages to go away and get feeling again. i dont sleep on my arms. also the last two days ive had mild numbness in the left side of my face and down my arm. could this be the syrinx? its 13 mm long. i had a brain mri which only showed a region of shadow and my neurosurgeon thinks its not the syrinx but possibly ms as does my doctor. im being sent for a full spinal mri soon. thank you for your input
Brief Answer:
A full spinal MRI is needed to confirm the diagnosis.
Detailed Answer:
Hello dear and welcome to ‘Ask A Doctor’ service. I have reviewed your query and here is my advice.
Your symptoms can be related to syringx.
Numbness and muscle weakness are common symptoms of syringomielia.
A spine MRI is necessary to confirm the diagnosis.
This examination is needed to exclude other possible diagnosis with similar symptoms.
If the diagnosis is confirmed the treatment consists in surgery.
The goal of surgery is to remove the pressure the syrinx places on the spinal cord and to restore the normal flow of cerebro spinal fluid.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
A full spinal MRI is needed to confirm the diagnosis.
Detailed Answer:
Hello dear and welcome to ‘Ask A Doctor’ service. I have reviewed your query and here is my advice.
Your symptoms can be related to syringx.
Numbness and muscle weakness are common symptoms of syringomielia.
A spine MRI is necessary to confirm the diagnosis.
This examination is needed to exclude other possible diagnosis with similar symptoms.
If the diagnosis is confirmed the treatment consists in surgery.
The goal of surgery is to remove the pressure the syrinx places on the spinal cord and to restore the normal flow of cerebro spinal fluid.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Kampana
thank you so much for your answer. my neurosurgeon didnt want to do surgery as yet. do i need to see a neurologist to get a referal for a spinal mri? is there a chance the syrinx could come back after surgery. im still learning about having this and sometimes the symptoms can be quite scary. i can attach an image of my cervical mri if required. thank you
Brief Answer:
You should see a neurologist to get a referral for a spinal MRI.
Detailed Answer:
Hi again dear,
You should get a referral from a neurologist to do a spinal MRI.
This examination is necessary to exclude other possible medical conditions.
Surgery is usually recommended for when the patient is symptomatic.
So, depending the results of the spinal MRI the neurologist will decide if the surgery is needed.
Hope I helped you.
Feel free to contact me again for further clarification.
Take care dear,
Dr.Dorina Gurabardhi
You should see a neurologist to get a referral for a spinal MRI.
Detailed Answer:
Hi again dear,
You should get a referral from a neurologist to do a spinal MRI.
This examination is necessary to exclude other possible medical conditions.
Surgery is usually recommended for when the patient is symptomatic.
So, depending the results of the spinal MRI the neurologist will decide if the surgery is needed.
Hope I helped you.
Feel free to contact me again for further clarification.
Take care dear,
Dr.Dorina Gurabardhi
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Answered by
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