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What Is Narrowing Of Ventral Subarachnoid Space?
Question: narrowing of the anterior subarachnoid space, what does this m,ean
Brief Answer:
Contact pressure on the outer layers, but no compression of the spinal cord
Detailed Answer:
I read that detailed MRI report carefully.
The spinal cord as well as the brain is covered by three layers (meninges) which are called the dura, the arachnoid and the pia. Now between the arachnoid and the pia there is a space which is filled with fluid, this space is called subarachnoid space. The narrowing described there means that those bulging discs contact the layers and their pressure narrows the subarachnoid space at the contact point. It isn't compressing the spinal cord itself though, so it shouldn't be a source of worry, unlikely to be the cause of your symptoms. It won't affect the fluid circulation either as it's only at the contact point the subarachnoid space is present on all the the 360 degrees of the cord.
The report in general speaks of degenerative changes of the cervical spine in general, which to a certain degree are common with age. At a couple of levels there is some moderate narrowing of the foramina, the canals through which the nerve roots leave the spine. Luckily it is only a moderate narrowing meaning no marked compression of the nerve roots which might require surgery.
So for now I believe your doctors will advise only physical therapy and over the counter painkillers like Ibuprofen. The use of a collar might also be helpful.
I hope to have been of help.
Contact pressure on the outer layers, but no compression of the spinal cord
Detailed Answer:
I read that detailed MRI report carefully.
The spinal cord as well as the brain is covered by three layers (meninges) which are called the dura, the arachnoid and the pia. Now between the arachnoid and the pia there is a space which is filled with fluid, this space is called subarachnoid space. The narrowing described there means that those bulging discs contact the layers and their pressure narrows the subarachnoid space at the contact point. It isn't compressing the spinal cord itself though, so it shouldn't be a source of worry, unlikely to be the cause of your symptoms. It won't affect the fluid circulation either as it's only at the contact point the subarachnoid space is present on all the the 360 degrees of the cord.
The report in general speaks of degenerative changes of the cervical spine in general, which to a certain degree are common with age. At a couple of levels there is some moderate narrowing of the foramina, the canals through which the nerve roots leave the spine. Luckily it is only a moderate narrowing meaning no marked compression of the nerve roots which might require surgery.
So for now I believe your doctors will advise only physical therapy and over the counter painkillers like Ibuprofen. The use of a collar might also be helpful.
I hope to have been of help.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thanks, the issue to date is carpal tunnel like symptoms on both hands after having carpal tunnel surgery 5 years ago, successful surgery.
also there have been two instances where my right arm was not able to have motor function, i.e. lifting after high doses of prednisone 60mg it improved. There was also a link to viruses during these episodes, shingles and the flu and a prescription of antivirals valicycl. diagnosis was a virus effected the nerves.
All my symptoms seem worse when my neck gets stiff and sore
also there have been two instances where my right arm was not able to have motor function, i.e. lifting after high doses of prednisone 60mg it improved. There was also a link to viruses during these episodes, shingles and the flu and a prescription of antivirals valicycl. diagnosis was a virus effected the nerves.
All my symptoms seem worse when my neck gets stiff and sore
Brief Answer:
Read below.
Detailed Answer:
That MRI result alone doesn't explain your carpal tunnel like symptoms. Successful carpal tunnel surgery doesn't necessarily mean the symptoms will leave for good, if there has been longstanding injury to the nerve it may not be able to regenerate fully.
The MRI doesn't explain your episodes of weakness either, such a presentation might be due to stroke or nerve injury, I suppose you had a neurological exam at the time to differentiate between peripheral or central weakness, the fact it responded to prednisone tends to favor the viral cause suggested.
However one can't neglect that the symptoms worsen when neck is stiff and sore. There are cases where temporary inflammation of the surrounding structures, may be added to the moderated foraminal narrowing noted on MRI. The combined effect might result in nerve root compression.
So since you refer worsening when having neck pain nerve, further testing by nerve conduction studies/electromyography might serve to differentiate whether the symptoms are due to carpal tunnel residual damage or nerve root compression.
In terms of treatment it wouldn't change much though, it would still be physiotherapy and painkillers as I said, so not an emergency.
Another diagnosis which might be considered if the results don't fit, is thoracic outlet syndrome, which is a syndrome related to compression of the nerve bundles after they leave the neck during their passage to the shoulder. Not that likely considering your age though, usually manifests at a younger age, before 50.
I hope things work out for the best.
Read below.
Detailed Answer:
That MRI result alone doesn't explain your carpal tunnel like symptoms. Successful carpal tunnel surgery doesn't necessarily mean the symptoms will leave for good, if there has been longstanding injury to the nerve it may not be able to regenerate fully.
The MRI doesn't explain your episodes of weakness either, such a presentation might be due to stroke or nerve injury, I suppose you had a neurological exam at the time to differentiate between peripheral or central weakness, the fact it responded to prednisone tends to favor the viral cause suggested.
However one can't neglect that the symptoms worsen when neck is stiff and sore. There are cases where temporary inflammation of the surrounding structures, may be added to the moderated foraminal narrowing noted on MRI. The combined effect might result in nerve root compression.
So since you refer worsening when having neck pain nerve, further testing by nerve conduction studies/electromyography might serve to differentiate whether the symptoms are due to carpal tunnel residual damage or nerve root compression.
In terms of treatment it wouldn't change much though, it would still be physiotherapy and painkillers as I said, so not an emergency.
Another diagnosis which might be considered if the results don't fit, is thoracic outlet syndrome, which is a syndrome related to compression of the nerve bundles after they leave the neck during their passage to the shoulder. Not that likely considering your age though, usually manifests at a younger age, before 50.
I hope things work out for the best.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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