HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

What Does My MRI Scan Report Indicate?

Posted on Tue, 31 Jan 2017

Question: I AM LOSING STENGTH AND RANGE OF MOTION IN MY ARMS. NO PAIN. EMG AND MRI SHOWED CERVICAL PROBLEMS. BUT NO PAIN. ANTERIOR FUSION ON C3-6 DONE IN NOVEMBER. NO CHANGE, GETTING WORSE. I've SEEN NEUROLOGISTS AT ucdAVIS, THEY ALSO DID MRI AND EMG TWO WEEKS AGO. I DONT' SEEM TO HAVE ANY SYMNPTOMS THAT MATCH ANY DISEASE OR SYNDROME. I BELIEVE IT IS SOMETHING LIKE POLYMYOTOSIS. WHAT DIRECTION CAN YOU GIVE ME? WHAT SPECIFIC FINDINGS IN BLOOD WORK WILL DIRECT US IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION?
CAROL

Answered by Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Creatine kinase, genetic testing and evoked potentials.

Detailed Answer:
Hello and thanks for using HCM.

I have read your question and understand your concerns.

Polymyositis affects more the muscles closest to the trunk (hips, thighs, shoulders, upper arms and neck), not only arms.

Since there is a previous cervical condition, syndromes that involve cervical spinal cord and result in arms and hands weakness without, or partial impairment of sensory abilities ( central cord syndrome, anterior cord syndrome ), should be considered.

Since EMG findings resulted in favor of motor neuron involvement, if upper motor neurons are involved or not should be investigated with a brain MRI.

Lower motor neuron could be affected by motor neuron diseases such spinal muscular atrophy (type IV ).

Besides MRI and nerve conduction study with EMG, creating kinase levels in blood, genetic testing and evoked potentials are necessary as investigations in order to achieve a correct diagnosis.

Discuss with your Doctor about these issues.

Hope you found the answer helpful.

Let me know if I can assist you further.

Kind regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (31 hours later)

Thank you. No one has suggested brain MRI, I will now. Also, could there be some kind of infection in my body that could cause this? I had knee replacement three years ago, I still suffer pain, not like before surgery. The dr. stated the knee is solid, I underwent tests to see if I was allergic to the metal, bone scan, pain management, ( epidural, radio frequency(?) treatments. ) I also have Parkinson disease, with no symptoms that are noticeable to anyone but drs. I was taking sinemet until August. then changed to Rytary, 2 pills three times a day. Two weeks later I experienced a definite change in my arms . they were weak before but almost at one day I couldn't lift arms. Any chance of allergic reaction to the meds? No one seems to think so but it was a coincidence. What other rare syndromes or diseases could it be? Parsonage - XXXXXXX multifocal neuron disease, etc. XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (6 hours later)

Brief Answer:
An infection is very unlikely.

Detailed Answer:
Welcome back and thanks for being on follow up.

An infection results in fewer and it should be noticeable at least on blood work, so it is very unlikely.

Medications may cause peripheral neuropathy as a possible adverse effect, but clinical characteristics and nerve conduction studies are typical for this condition.

Before to consider rare syndromes, diagnostic tests mentioned in our previous conversation, should be carried out.

Hope this helps.

Let me know the tests results.

Greetings.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Remy Koshy