How can a Neurosurgeon diagnose a symptomatic Tarlov Cyst from a distance?

I've been dealing with this question over and over in my battle for care and accountability, but somehow I've always managed to miss the opportunity to ask that question when the opportunity arose. Finally I've asked and below is the answer. 

I asked this question to Dr. Frank Feigenbaum, a specialist in diagnosing and treating symptomatic Tarlov Cysts. This is the answer I got in return from his dedicated and loyal surgical assistant Debbie West. Thank you Debbie for your time and commitment!


"Dr. Feigenbaum can diagnose a patient because he has the experience and knowledge to do so.  We go by the MRI and the patient's symptoms.  We can see the cysts and the nerve compression and if it correlates with the patient's description of signs and symptoms the diagnosis is made.  For all those critical audiences look at this way - a radiologist can look at an x-ray and diagnose a fractured bone.  They can also look at a brain MRI and diagnose a brain lesion.  They never see the patient!  

A very knowledgeable and experienced neurosurgeon can diagnose a multitude of issues before they even see the patient,  a brain hemorrhage on a CT, an aneurysm on an angiogram, a tumor on a brain MRI, a herniated disc on a MRI of the spine, a spinal fracture from trauma, etc. Need I say more?  Of course they will at some point see the patient before actually treating them." 

Debbie's response certainly makes sense to me. I hope this information helps some of you to feel more confident in reaching out for your diagnosis from a distance. 

Canadian Issues.... I love witnessing Canadian Courage!! (Click here for Sue's Blog)

I started this blog was with the hope of addressing specific failures of our Canadian Provincial and Federal institutions. 

Over time it's obviously taken on most of the major issues that are affecting me personally; more specifically Tarlov Cysts. I've addressed the symptoms, treatment options, lack of treatment options, lack of professional medical understanding, side effects and causes. 

I am very proud of what this blog has become and how this information has been reviewed by people from all over the world. 

To everyone out there... the readers from Malaysia, Korea, Switzerland, China, Argentina; I welcome you all and I hope that you have found something here that you can use. I do welcome you to email me and tell me about yourself and why you came to this site, over and over again. I would love to know you and how I can help you, perhaps with more specific information to your personal situation. Comments are always welcome and all emails will be responded too in a timely manner.



Even though this site may be more specific to Canadian realities, many of the issues are universally transferable. Unfortunately, the issues we Canadians face, are many of the same issues experienced in different parts of the world. Distance never breaks the bond of humanity. We are all human, we are all fragile beings and we are all capable of learning, advancing and fighting for what we need. As Marshall McLuhan said oh so long ago, we are indeed a Global Village. 


And I quote:

"Today, after more than a century of electric technology, we have extended our central nervous system itself in a global embrace, abolishing both space and time as far as our planet is concerned."

- Marshall McLuhan, Understanding Media, 1964.

 

I have added an additional link to the blog this morning.... why? Because as I said we have the ability to learn from each other and most things are indeed transferable. The blog, I've added is called 'Sue's Blog'. It is a blog I truly enjoy reading. 

I love her writing style, her direct, but honest flippancy when addressing today's major and serious issues. Most of all I respect her courage to make her thoughts known and for her honesty in the face of so much deception. I hope you visit her site and take the time to read some of the posts she has taken the time to share. There is always more to learn and you never know, she just might have something valuable there that you can use.

This Blog, The Canadian Living Blog, will eventually become a website to allow for what I see as a growing and extensive data base of information.  I hope you will keep coming back and take the time to review the links. There is a lot of help out their to help you face your issues for what they truly are, and there are many resources, including this one, aimed at helping you to advocate for your own right to a safe and healthy life.

Thanks for reading and come back often I have much more information coming up soon..... stay tuned..... what's next may be exactly what you have been looking for. 

Sherri