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MRI scan result

Posted , 5 users are following.

sally44295
sally44295

I've had a scan but not seen a specialist to discuss the result. Would any of you fellow sufferers know whether the following means I would benefit from having MVD surgery? "A vessel is seen coursing across the cisternal portion of the left fifth nerve. A vessel is also seen on either side in close relation to cisternal portion of 7th-8th nerve complexes bilaterally."

Many thanks for any help... Sally

0 likes, 12 replies

12 Replies

  • Williamsmummy4
    Williamsmummy4 sally44295

    Posted

    Hi sally, sorry I have no idea what that means but im interested in knowing how quickly you got that information and did it get posted to you etc?  I am having an mri scan next week after being diagnosed with hfs last week. I worry that I will have a scan but be left dangling on the results as so far nothing no follow up appointment has been booked to discuss the results

    many thanks

    Caroline

    • sally44295
      sally44295 Williamsmummy4

      Posted

      Hi Caroline, I had to ask my Botox 'associate specialist' at St George's Tooting to arrange for me to have a scan and I got the result about 6 weeks after having the scan when I went for my routine Botox  injections. I think I could have got the result earlier if I had pushed. I asked to see a neurologist but to no avail. So I now have a copy of the 'findings' but no one to interpret them for me. I've passed the scan result to my GP and am now trying to get a referral for surgery but can't really see how that will happen until I've seen a neurosurgeon. All I can suggest is that you try to get a consultation with a neurosurgeon. Who recommended that you should have a scan or did you ask for it yourself, like me? Let me know how you get on and good luck, Sally
  • gwen90321
    gwen90321 sally44295

    Posted

    Sorry Sally, I have not even been sent for a MRI scan which I thought was wrong,

    I saw a neurologist and he asked questions and follow the finger tests, but as I 

    keep pointing out to my GP i would feel alot better if I was sent for a scan.  I think

    find out through your GP when the hospital will come back to you so can speak

    to the specialist about your results.

    • Roseann
      Roseann gwen90321

      Posted

      I'm not sure if this is of any help Gwen, but I was in the same position as you for many years.  I saw x 3 neurologists but none of them thought a scan was necessary.  In the end I ask my GP to refer me privately to Bristol Spire Hospital (Nik Patel operates privately there) and I paid approx £750 for a private MRI scan and a consultation.  I had the results of the scan immediately and after years of wondering I was had a clear picture of why I had spasms and what could be done about them.  I then transferred over to NHS where I had surgery a couple of years later (this could have been earlier but I wasn't brave enough until things got really difficult with the spasms).  Hope this might help.
    • sally44295
      sally44295 Roseann

      Posted

      Hi Roseann,

      So you had the neurologists but no scan and I've got the scan but no neurologist!

      I may end up asking my GP to refer me for a private consultation with Nik Patel. Thanks again for your help.

      Sally

       

    • gwen90321
      gwen90321 Roseann

      Posted

      Thank you so much Roseann, now at least I know I'm not going mad and that they are probably avoiding the scan maybe as a way to save NHS money.  Have the spasms stopped completely now? It makes sense to

      have the scan so that we know exactly why I have the spasms, I guess

      the neurologist thought it wasn't necessary as he has had to deal with the

      same thing over and over again and therefore in his mind botox was the short term solution. 

  • ed_92085
    ed_92085 sally44295

    Posted

    Hi Sally,

    Well that wouldn't win any "Plain English" awards!  I don't know if this helps, but when I had a scan the neurosurgeon wrote to my GP in clear language that a blood vessel ( an artery, I believe) was in contact with the nerve and that an MVD operation was likely to be helpful. It seems that the account of your scan requires some translation. Terms like "close relation" and "coursing across" are open to a range of interpretations including one which suggests there is pressure of vessel on nerve . Is it possible to ask whoever wrote this for some clarification. If this report indicates pressure on your nerve from a vessel, then it's my understanding that an MVD may help you.

    All best wishes

    Ed

    • sally44295
      sally44295 ed_92085

      Posted

      Thanks Ed. Your comments are as ever valuable and encouraging.

      All best,

      Sally

  • Roseann
    Roseann sally44295

    Posted

    Hi Sally.  I don't understand the terminology, but it does sound as if the 7th cranial nerve is involved.  This, I believe, is the one which tends to be compressed in the case of HFS.  I guess you have to wait for the experts to tell you what all this means and whether MVD surgery will be the answer for you.  The wait must be really hard for you, but only an experienced professional will be able to give you the answers you are seeking.  Good luck!
  • suzi57
    suzi57 sally44295

    Posted

    Hi Sally

    I'm having another set of MRI scans done in a few weeks also.  When I had one  5 years ago they did say there appears to be a blood vessel touching the nerve (7th cranial) which I beleive is the usual problem.  I'd be very interested to know what your results acutally mean.  My op is going to be in 6 months time. Have you seen a specialist yet?

     

    • sally44295
      sally44295 suzi57

      Posted

      Hi Suzi,

      No I haven't seen a speciaiist yet. I gave my scan results to my GP and he is going to forward it straight to Nik Patel in Bristol because I have asked that he should do the surgery. So I now have to wait and see if he thinks surgery will help and if so, my GP will refer me for the op but it has to go before a panel who may decide not to fund it.

      So nothing is certain. Whereabouts in the country are you? Did you have trouble being referred for the op and who is going to do it?

       

  • Roseann
    Roseann sally44295

    Posted

    Hi again Sally, I've sent you a private message.  Top right hand corner of this page for access.
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