spinal concerns

KorynH

I got my mri results this evening, of course, on a Friday, when my doctor is not there to help me disipher the results. So I am posing this question to anyone who might know what they mean.

I have had numbness in my upper left back for 3 months. Numb and tinglinglike when you foot falls asleep. This is the opposite side of where my breast cancer was and where I now have n implant.  I did not have left breast surgery.

The MRI says small hemangiomas in the lumbar and thoracic vertibral bodies. Prominent T1 & T2 lesion which appears to respresent a hemangioma. Scout images reveal focal T1 hyperintense lesions within the cervical spine which are not completely imaged on the other sequences and therefore cannot be evaluated at this time. Bone scan recommended. (I just had one 2 weeks ago that came back saying nothing of this). Heterogeneous bone marrow with what appear to be hemangiomas. Bone san may be useful.

Interestingly enough, I had my imunoglobulins tested last month due to severe allergy reactions I deveoped after cheo last spring, and they were elevated 3X normal levels. Don't know what that means either.

Is there a doctor in the house? Nurse? Experienced patient? Anybody?

Anonymous

Koryn---I am a PT, but I don't have any experience with vertebral hemangiomas. I did google it, and it said they are benign vascular tumors, so that's good news

Anne

Anonymous

bump

leaf

This probably isn't horribly relevant, but I had 'osteophytes' in my spinal column (boney growths). I only have LCIS and had a breast excision, so it wasn't from mets. The boney growths were found when I had an MRI for my hand/arm numbness.  The boney growths weren't causing my numbness (per the neurosurgeon), but I did have *prophylactic* surgery. The neurosurgeon said he was concerned that if I fell on my chin I'd have a spinal cord injury.

 He did a 'Rotor Rooter' job on my spinal column and on the holes that nerves exit the spinal column, then 3 vertebrae in my neck fused together with a plate.  It was called an 'ACDF' - anterior cervical discectomy with fusion (C5-6, 6-7).   My numbness *really* improved after bilateral carpal tunnel surgery. 

I have had 2 CTs since then (unrelated monitoring), and I have some growths in my lumbar area that they said they will be watching.  I don't know if hemiangiomas can do the same thing: I would imagine that any growth inside the spinal column could affect the function of the spinal cord.

Feel free to PM me if you wish.