This is the first site that I have come across that specifically mentions the clinical significance of spondylolisis in arachnoiditis patients. I mention this as just another factor/possible cause of my arachnoiditis. I was indeed diagnosed with spondylolisis prior to my surgery but never thought it might play such a role in developing arachnoiditis. Seems the more I dig in to this condition the more possible sources I find. Boggles the mind.
ARACHNOIDITIS
What Is Arachnoiditis
It is an inflammatory process involving the arachnoid lining of the thecal sac and the Cauda Equina nerve roots, producing severe, incapacitating pain and neurological disability.
Is this a new disease?
As a disease, it has been known for over 90 years under various names. (Meningitis serosa circumscripta spinalis, adhesive spinal arachnoiditis, chronic spinal meningitis, meningitis serosa spinalis, spinal meningitides and radiculo-myelopathy, chronic adhesive arachnoiditis)
It can affect various places in the body, such as in the head, at the junction between the head and neck and all over the spine (cranial, servico-medullary, thoracic, lumbosacral).
With the passage of time, changes have been found in a number of clinical features found in earlier types.
Does everyone agree about the causes and treatments of Arachnoiditis?
What arachnoiditis actually means clinically, its relation to myelography, the role of surgery and of steroids in its genesis and in its treatment, are a matter of great controversy.
Prof. Hoffman (1983), has stated that the conventional spectrum of arachnoiditis is probably only the 'tip of the iceberg'.
Prof. Jayson (1990), stated that many patients with lumbar spondylosis may have degrees of arachnoiditis and peridural fibrosis that are of clinical significance yet unrecognized by conventional examination.
The frequency, prevalence and prognosis of Contrast media induced arachnoiditis are only now becoming known, and its magnitude is greater than previously thought.
Dr. Burton (1994), has suggested that worldwide, a figure close to a million cases over the past 50 years is possible.
Research in the United States on myelography related arachnoiditis, led to disclosures that resulted in a dramatic introduction of legislation in the 1994 U.S. Congress to monitor all myelography. (H.R.2079)
Arachnoiditis and the Patient
Arachnoiditis sufferers have often been considered to have functional disorders; disappointed by this lack of recognition from the medical profession, they have formed self-help groups around the world.
They have shown that arachnoiditis is a major world-wide public health problem. It leads to chronic disability, long term drug/alcohol dependence and suicidal tendencies. The average life span is shortened by 12 years., (Guyer,1989), and there is no known cure.
Arachnoiditis thus, remains a therapeutic challenge for the medical profession
Factors which have been found to lead to Arachnoiditis.
Myelography related
Oil-based contrast media.
Increased volume of contrast injected
Hyperosmolarity of aqueous contrast
Difficulty in performance of myelography.
Non-removal of Oily media
Oil/Hyperosmolar myelography prior to surgery.
Repeat Oil or Aqueous Hyperosmolar myelography.
Blood in CSF at time of Iophendylate myelography.
Interval: Laminectomy Epidural injections
Short time between myelography
Surgery Related
Presence of spinal stenosis
Difficult discectomy
Dural/arachnoid tears
Intradural surgery
Fibrillay cotton residues from patties/swabs.
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