Hi all,
My MRI (with contrast) showed no compression. I’ve been suffering with this pain and would try anything to get relief! Has anyone had an MVD when their MRI didnt show a compression? If so what was the outcome?
I will be having surgery this week even though my MRI was clear. My neurosurgeon said that it is quite common to have a clear MRI. The MRI is primarily used to rule out MS or tumours. Often a surgeon will still find compressions during surgery and be able to correct it. My MRI did show a very large and clear compression on the left side. I do not have any symptoms on this side though and hope the giant stays asleep. Many people have very successful outcomes with MVD surgery. Check out the MVD group on this site for a lot of information from personal experiences.
It is not uncommon at all for a compression not to show on an MRI. I dont know if there is any significant difference in results of the MVD based on compression being visible on MRI. In my case I had MVD surgery without an MRI ever being done. Now that was 30 yrs ago. When surgeon went in found 2 veins strangling the nerve and an artery pulsating on the same nerve. Fortunately my surgery was 100% successful. Are you seeing a neurologist/neurosurgeon who has significant experience with TN?.....That is very important. Good Luck....Ed
Hi I’m seeing a neurologist at the Walton centre in the UK. but I was thinking of asking him to refer me to neurosurgeon in the centre who I know has had a lot of experience dealing with TN.
Probably a real good idea....Its real important to have a neurosurgeon or neurologist with extensive TN experience.....
wishing you the very best of luck and an answer to your pain..Ed
PinkVic said:
Hi I'm seeing a neurologist at the Walton centre in the UK. but I was thinking of asking him to refer me to neurosurgeon in the centre who I know has had a lot of experience dealing with TN.
Hi PinkVic,
Please read the following link, it’s a part of my TN journey that relates to your question.
http://www.livingwithtn.org/forum/topics/7-days-post-mvd-1?id=2413731%3ATopic%3A296770&page=1#comments
((Hugs )) Mimi
Most have no proof and picts from MRI --- its really to rule out other stuff
I would say of the thousands here 89% to 90% have not seen anything on MRI --- can go ahead with MVD
My MVD was the BEST surgeon in the states --- in 2 years - some little pains have come and go
=== come and go - and now again in no pain!
Not everybody gets no pain --- and I'll probably have another MVD in my lifetime - Im 50
Some people just get some relief - rarely some people have to do another MVD same year..... BUT the ONE year mark is where you usually know that everything is at least healed from the operation.
MRI is not the be all and end all of diagnostics. My Neurosurgeon told me that you might not see anything abnormal in the MRI / CT scans, yet once you get inside it is obvious.
The diagnostic is mostly from the description of the symptoms from the patient, not through medical intruments.
Smash