When I tell people that I am having spinal surgery prior to the brain tail surgery I often get blank stares and perplexed looks in return. What does the spine have to do with the brain?? Well ~ everything ~ they are connected. I thought I would take a moment to try and explain the reasoning behind the surgery to release my spinal cord.
Studies have proven that Chiari can be acquired due to a fatty filum terminale (thread like structure that connects the lower end of the spinal cord to the bony spinal column).
So basically, TCI believes that my brain tail is being pulled downward into my spine due to a tight filum terminale. The good news is that the only side effects I have from this right now are weakness and pain in my legs. By having the surgery now I will avoid permanent neurological damage if left untreated.
The procedure to release the thickened filum involves a laminectomy at one or two levels in the lumbar or sacral spine to expose the site of the tether, and a division of the tight filum is made. The filum has no neurological function. After the surgery I will have to lay flat on my back for 24 hours to prevent a CSF leak.
If you want more info there are some links on the sidebar on my blog ~ TCI has made the ground breaking discovery that ties Chiari to Tethered Cord ~ truely amazing stuff. You can also click here for an explanation of the TC surgery.
Studies have proven that Chiari can be acquired due to a fatty filum terminale (thread like structure that connects the lower end of the spinal cord to the bony spinal column).
The procedure to release the thickened filum involves a laminectomy at one or two levels in the