In the Tennant Foundation Arachnoiditis Research & Education Project they have reviewed the MRI’s of over 300 persons with the typical symptom profile of AA which includes back pain, stabbing pains, sensations of insects/water on the skin, leg weakness, pain relief on reclining or standing, blurred vision, and urinary dysfunction.
MAJOR DISCOVERY: Many persons with the symptom profile of AA do not show the diagnostic sign of cauda equina nerve root clumping or coalescence that is necessary for the diagnosis of AA. The MRI will, however, almost always show some anatomic abnormalities of the nerve roots including enlargement, loss of circular contour, or displacement from their normal symmetrical pattern.
THE INTRASPINAL INFLAMMATORY PROCESS: Persons with AA are the end result of intraspinal canal inflammation that may take months or years to cause the formation of adhesions and clumping that will show as AA on MRI. Symptoms begin with the initiation of inflammation. Inflammatory markers may elevate in the blood. Aggressive suppression of intraspinal canal inflammation is necessary to prevent AA.
THE INTRASPINAL INFLAMMATION PROCESS:
Inciting Event Examples: Herniated Discs, Epidural or Spinal Injection, Genetic Collagen Disorder, Trauma/Surgery
leads to
Inflammation begins in cauda equina nerve roots
leads to
Adhesions causing clumping of nerve roots
CONCLUSIONS:
1. Many persons with intraspinal canal inflammation develop the symptom profile of AA, but the diagnostic clumping of nerve roots which is necessary for a diagnosis of AA may not be evident.
2. Intraspinal canal inflammation may show non-clumping evidence on an MRI and elevated inflammation markers in the blood.
3. Aggressive anti-intraspinal canal inflammatory treatment should be initiated as soon as possible to prevent AA.
Provided by The Tennant Foundation
