Hi Janelle,
Have you compared it with my example at
http://prettyill.com/forums/viewthread/712/
My comments on yours would be that it’s difficult to tell whether you have a collection of Cerebro Spinal Fluid at the top of your head (hydrocephalus), or not, from the quality of pic that you’ve posted. I notice that the lower part of your hind-brain (cerebellar tonsils) abutts the foramen magnum (the hole at the bottom of your skull). This is called Cerebellar Ectopia. Although it doesn’t protrude sufficiently in my opinion to qualify for Chiari Malformation 1 (CM1), which they say is 5mm (or was the last time I checked), it may protrude just a little, it’s difficult to tell when it’s not life-sized. From a reality point of view this could still manifest in a boat load of symptoms, especially if it’s interfering with the free flow of Cerebro Spinal Fluid (CSF) between your head and spine.
I do notice that you either have a retroflexed odontoid, or maybe it’s a pannus (difficult to tell for sure) but having a pannus is a sign of Cranio-Cervical Instability. A pannus is a pad of dense tissue which collects adjacent to the back of the tip of the odontoid peg and it’s something your body produces to try and stop your brain-stem from being injured by the bone (as your head shifts abnormally).
Of course, having a cranio-cervical instability in combination with cerebellar ectopia, is a whole different ball game with yet another boat load of symptoms. I notice you have a loss of lordosis (the natural C shaped curve of the neck), I take it this MRI was taken lying down. I also notice quite a wide gap between the back bottom of your skull and the posterior arch of your C1 (the top bone in your neck), which may be another sign of instability. It may be helpful if you could get an upright MRI taken in the ‘neutral’, ‘flexion’, and ‘extension’ views.
Have you had a head injury, or a neck injury ?
Regards
Barbara
(UK)