Dr. Baaj told me before my surgery that he had done less than a dozen surgeries of arachnoid web. However, he also told me that it did not matter as it was a simple operation. The most important item during the surgery was that the spinal canal dura was closed with no leaks.
Needless to say Ali Baaj failed in the successful removal of my arachnoid web.
His medical paper on arachnoid web/cyst is at best a rough outline of Thoracic Spine Arachnoid medical papers by other surgeons and is no indication that he is an expert on the removal of the arachnoid web/cyst.
Ali Baaj has never has ordered a GE Fiesta-C MRI on any of his spinal patients for any surgery on the spine. Ali Baaj thinks a Fiesta-c MRI is for brain scans only. So, he has not done his homework and in my opinion it is sad.
After I got my 3D Fiesta MRI, it was plain to see it was the best informative MRI for surgery something Ali Baaj is not aware of.
From radiology: I insisted this be done: Dedicated FIESTA heavily T2—weighted sequence was performed in both axial and sagittal planes from T2—T8. This had to be done on a separate scanner as the original scanner was unable to perform.
These images more clearly show a cystic lesion at the T5 level with an arachnoid membrane at the upper margin, the membrane courses from the dorsal aspect of the spinal cord continuing posteriorly to the posterior dura, see series 6 image 87. It remains unclear if this represents an arachnoid cyst or an arachnoid web. Superior to this membrane, a network of multiple smaller membranes are present, which may be postsurgical in nature or potentially representing arachnoiditis, intravenous contrast may better elucidate this finding.
After this failure by Ali Baaj at Banner Hospital in Phoenix he says go to pain management!!! Great help don't you think?
Jan 18, 2022
Clinic Office - Clinic Notes
Document Name: Neurosurgery Office/Clinic Note
Result Status: Auth (Verified)
Signed By: CANNATA NP,CHRISTINA MARIE (1/18/2022 13:09 MST);
BAAJ ALI (1/18/2022 11:13 MST)
Service Date/Time: 1/18/2022 11:00 MST
Chief Complaint
NP Because the MRI showing spine web, arachnoid web in the thoracic area that’s Ongoing
pinching the cord.
Patient Information
Name:TERRYT Age: 67 Years Sex: Male
Additional Information: Chronic back pain
No qualifying data available.
History of Present Illness
Patient is a 67 y.r. male who presents for a second opinion regarding recently diagnosed
thoracic arachnoid web/cyst.
Patient is self-referred.
Patient has a longstanding history of chronic back pain. Specifically, he began having
intermittent, but severe episodes of stabbing pain between his shoulder blades with
radiation around to his rib cage beginning around 30 years ago. The pain was triggered
by leaning forward. He began having a similar pain in his low back about 20 years ago
with the same characteristics and triggering motions. He states that these episodes
occur spontaneously and usually last abut 3 days before subsiding. He now really only
has the acute pain occur in his low back with radiation into his groin and buttocks. The
most recent episode occurred 1 month ago and lasted about 2 weeks. He needed a
wheelchair to get around due to the amount of pain that he was having. He visited the
ER in Tucson during this episode of acute pain, which is where they completed MRI
C/T/L=spine w/wo contrast and diagnosed him with a thoracic arachnoid web. The
neurosurgeon who he saw, Dr. Rivero, recommended a thoracic laminectomy with
fenestration. T4 thru T8. total removal of web.
He sought a second opinion with Dr. Dumont, who also recommended the partial removal of arachnoid web at compression site.
Patient presently only has some intrascapular soreness and pain in his low back that “is today’s visit.
not too bad.” Other symptoms that the patient reports include numbness of BLE from the acetaminophen
knees down in a stocking glove distribution; he states that he has been diagnosed with oral peripheral neuropathy in the past. He states that being on his feet for too long causes his tablet legs to feel weak. He also has numbness/tingling of his last three fingers in both hands that contributes to hand weakness; of note, he has had left ulnar nerve transposition puff, Inhale,
surgery in the past that did not affect these symptoms. Patient reports penile numbness, which has been worked up by a neurologist with no identifiable cause. He also reports urinary leakage, which has been attributed to prostatitis. Patient denies any bowel
AssessmentlPlan
1. Arachnoid cyst of spine
TS/6 thoracic arachnoid web/cyst, very challenging to know which symptoms are related and which aren’t but I do suspect some of his back/LE symptoms are related. We discussed in great detail the risks/benefits, risks do include csf leak, hematoma, infection, potential lack of any improvement, among others. They understand and want to proceed. We are their 3rd opinion and they understand the dx, prognosis and surgical plan in detail.
PLAN FOR T4-6 LAMI, INTRADURAL ARACHONID WEB/CYST RESECTION
I spent 45 minutes with the patient with greater than 50% of the time spent discussion diagnosis and prognosis, including surgical and non-surgical options. We discussed the natural history of the disease and potential management strategies. The patient voiced understanding and expressed desire to proceed with treatment as indicated above.
FEB 10, 2022
OPERATIVE-PROCEDURE REPORTS I
Document Name: Operative Note
Result Status: Auth (Verified)
Signed By: BAAJ MD,ALI (2/11/2022 09:00 MST)
Service Date/Time: 2/10/2022 13:03 MST
Operative Report
DATE OF BIRTH: 1954
Operative Report
DATE OF SERVICE:
02/10/202 2
ATTENDING SURGEON:
Au A. Baaj, ND
ASSISTANT:
Dr. Usinan Kahn
PREOPERATIVE DIAGNOSES:
1. Thoracic spinal arachnoid web with spinal cord deformation.
2. Myelopathy.
POSTOPERATIVE DIAGNOSES:
1. Thoracic spinal arachnoid web with spinal cord deformation.
2. Myelopathy.
OPERATIVE PROCEDURES:
1. Posterior partial T5, partial T6 laminectomy, intradural exploration and
resection of arachnoid web.
2. Use of intraoperative microscope.
3. Use of intraoperative neuro monitoring.
ANESTHESIA:
General.
CONPLICAT IONS:
None.
INDICATIONS FOR SURGERY:
The patient presented with significant back pain as well as lower extremity symptoms that were possibly suggestive of myelopathy. Given the thoracic spinal finding with cord deformation and an obvious arachnoid web, the decision was made to proceed with operative intervention. The family was well
Printed: 2/14/2022 12:33 MST Page 1 of 3 Report Request: 687166177
BANNER -- UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER PHOENIX
1111 E. McDowell Road
Phoenix, AZ 85006-26 12
Patient: TERRY T
MRN: Admit: 2/10/2022
FIN: Discharge: 2/12/2022
DOB/Age/Sex: 67 years Male Attending: BAAIJ MD,ALI
Visit: Inpatient
OPERATIVE-PROCEDURE REPORTS
aware of the risks, benefits, alternatives and indications to surgery. They did know risks included hematoma, CSF leak, infection, potential need for revision surgery, potential lack of improvement, amongst other complications. They were well aware of that and agreed to proceeding.
DESCRIPTION OF PROCEDURE:
After the patient was consented and marked, he was brought to the operating room and placed in supine position. General anesthesia was inducted. Preoperative antibiotics were administered. He was carefully flipped onto a Jackson prone bed. All pressure points were padded. The thoracic area was prepped and draped in the usual fashion. A #10 blade was used to make a midline skin incision. A subperiosteal dissection was performed to expose the posterior elements of T4, T5 and T6. Intraoperative x—ray confirmed the correct level. A high—speed drill and Leksell rongeur were used to perform a partial T5 and partial T6 laminectomy. We thought we would start with that and extended as needed. The exoscope was brought in for visualization. There were no changes in NEPs or SSEPs at any point. In fact, there was slight improvement in the motors in the lower extremities at the end of the surgery. After the exoscope was brought in, the dura was carefully opened and tacked up. An obvious thickened arachnoid web was visualized and it was sectioned sharply with microscissors in different areas until several segments were removed. We continued to that until I thought there was excellent restoration of spinal flow in that area. The obvious deformation of the cord was apparent and at that point, I was very happy with the decompression as well as the restoration of OSF flow. We ensured that there was good hemostasis. The dura was closed using 5—0 Prolene and after a Valsalva ensured no CSF leak, we placed a small piece of Gelfoam without significant pressure as well as Tisseel for further closure of the CSF area. At that point, we ensured there was good hemostasis in the soft tissue. A subfascial drain was placed. The fascia and the soft tissue was closed using Vicryl suture and the skin was closed using nylon suture. There were no obvious complications. I was present for the entire case.
Ali A. Baaj, ND
AAB:NTS
D:02/10/2022 13:03 NST
T:02/10/2022 22:37 NST
Printed: 2/14/2022 12:33 MST Page 2 of 3 Report Request: 687166177
BANNER -- UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER PHOENIX
1111 E. McDowell Road
Phoenix, AZ 85006-26 12
FEB 13, 2022
History of Present Illness
Patient is 67-year-old male with redness and itching of surgical wound. Patient was recently discharged from facility in Phoenix, after having a arachnoid cyst removal and T5 laminectomy. Patient states he was discharged yesterday. Other than pain control, has been doing well postoperatively. Denies any new lower extremity numbness or tingling. However the patient has developed intense itching over his wound since they removed the postoperative dressing as instructed today. States he has a history of multiple contact allergies, thinks that it is from one of the dressings or a lidocaine patch that was placed over the wound. Per patients wife, patient was instructed to leave the wound open to air as of today. They did contact the surgeon in Phoenix and was advised to come to the ER for assessment. Denies any fevers or drainage from the wound. Denies any shortness of breath, vomiting, diarrhea.
Assessment and Plan
Extracted from:
Title: Office Visit Note Author: CANNATANP, CHRISTINAMARIE Date: 3/1/22
1. Arachnoid cyst
s/p T5/6 lami for intradural arachnoid web, doing well, neuro with improved numbness in LE, expected post-op back/rib cage pain, had p/o reaction to suture/adhesive that’s now improving, discussed at length restrictions/activities, post-op recovery, red flags and indications to call us, may need PT in a few weeks, otherwise f/u at 1 year with T spine MIII no contrast.
SEPT 13, 2022 ER banner hospital Phx
CONSULTATION REPORTS I
Document Name: Consultation Report
Result Status: Modified
Signed By: PRIM MD,MICHAEL DYTON (9/13/2022 15:16 MST); BAAJ
MD,ALI (9/13/2022 08:59 MST); PAUL ACNP,MICHELE
DENISE (9/12/2022 22:31 MST)
Service Date/Time: 9/12/2022 22:02 MST
Addendum by BAAJ MD, ALl on September 13, 2022 08:54:33 MST
I personally saw and evaluated pt this morning. Spoke with him and his wife at length bedside. Dr. Prim and Christina also present. Recurrent thoracic arachnoid web with recurrence and/or persistence of acute pain episodes. Discussed dx and prognosis at length, including potential treatment options. No indication for acute surgical intervention, recommend pt/pain management and re-eval in 3 months. They are in ageement.
Ali Baaj
History of Present Illness
This is a 68M PMH thoracic myelopathy, arachnoid web s/p laminectomies and T5, T6
lysis of arachnoid web 2/10/2022 w/ Dr. Baaj and Dr. Khan, Vtach on metoprolol, DVT
s/p coumadin 4 years prior (no longer on AC), arthritis w/ autoimmune issues, who
presents to the ED w/ acute increase in back pain and nerve pain. The patient states
symptoms felt like prior when he had surgery. Stated post recovery he still had some
groin numbness but overall has been slowly feeling belier and stronger. At baseline he
has some urine hesitancy w/ some “dribbling” after voiding but overall no incontinence.
Denies bowel incontinence. On 9/11 states he was bending over and he felt a severe
shock-like sensation that started in his upper back and then going down. He said he would have intermittent similar events e.g. when he was getting out of a chair but not to the intensity that he felt yesterday. Stated because of the pain he wasn’t able to ambulate and started using his walker to transfer himself on and off the toilet or to bed. Had tried a muscle relaxer and left over oxy that he had from his prior surgery, but he felt no relief so he decided to come into the ED for further evaluation. An MRI was done and neurosurgery was consulted for concern of mass effect on the cord.
Review of Systems
Says he feels better after getting some pain medication
States other medical issues include R shoulder infection in which he has been on cefadroxil for the past 2 years. Has autoimmune urticaria
Has followed rheumatology in the past; has elevated ANA but unclear the etiology States he was exposed to chemicals while he was in the Air Force and for the past 20 years has dealt w/ a myriad of issues
MRI lumbar wI arachnoid cyst wI anterior compression and mass effect at T5, T6
AssessmentlPlan
Back pain
Arachnoid web
hx thoracic myelopathy
s/p laniinectomies w/ T5-T6 lysis of arachnoid web 2/10/22 increased back pain
This is a 68m wI the above issues who presents to the ED w/ acute upper back pain and acute nerve ‘shock’ like sensation after bending over. The severe pain was
uncontrolled and limited his ambulation. MRI lumbar completed w/ concern for mass effect on cord from arachnoid cyst and neurosurgery was asked to evaluate.
PLAN:
Imaging and plan discussed w/ Dr. Prim
ok to monitor pt in observation unit overnight Pain control
Neuro/spine checks q4h
Dr. Baaj/Dr. Prim to provide further recommendation in the AM
Please notify neurosurgery if any acute neurological symptoms/development of myelopathy
Appreciate BMGs assistance wi medical management
Michele Paul ACNP
Academic Neurosurgery
If any questions or concerns please call Answering service at 480-303-1478 or
602-839-2586
December 13, 2022
RE: Christina Cannata: AZ-Phoenix-755 E
McDowell Rd-Banner - University
Medicine
Clinics: Visit Follow-up Question
Thank you for your message. If you have further questions about your care, please start a new message.
Addendum by CANNATA NP, CHRISTINA MARIE on December 13, 2022 13:10:3 1 MST
From: CANNATA NP, CHRISTINA MARIE
To: AZP Neuro McDowell Neurosurgery - Clinical; NIER, TERRY I
Sent: 12/13/2022 13:10:31 MST
Subject: RE: Christina Cannata: AZ-Phoenix-755 E McDowell Rd-Banner - University Medicine Clinics: Visit Follow-up Question
Hi Mr. xxx,
I have already ordered the MRI for your thoracic spine and forwarded a request to our imaging specialist so that they may assist in obtaining insurance authorization.
We have an MRI of your lumbar spine from September 2022. There are no obvious abnormalities apart from some mild degenerative changes; there is nothing that I see that would explain the knot that you describe. This NP cannot even read a MRI correctly! There is a tumor in my back as noted by the MRI on 12/20/2023 and notes that it is also on the September MRI. Wow, incompetent! Do they read the report and then if someone else misses the tumor on MRI then they do too?
System is broke.
From 12/20/2023 MRI report below. "Fatty mass in the left supragluteal soft tissues measuring up to 3.2 cm, likely lipoma. This appears increased in conspicuity compared to prior MRI studies."
However, this is certainly something that we can further assess and review with Dr. Baaj at your follow-up appointment. I could certainly be a muscle tightness or spasm but it is hard to know for sure without assessing you, and I am unsure if it would be related to the arachnoid web in your thoracic spine.
I am happy to write an order for physical therapy to work on core/back strengthening. We will see you soon! Thank you, Christina
From: Porras Garcia, Marie G (AZP Neuro McDowell Neurosurgery - Clinical)
To: CANNATANP, CHRISTINA MARIE;
Sent: 12/13/2022 11:58:07 MST
Subject: FW: Christina Cannata: AZ-Phoenix-755 E McDowell Rd-Banner - University Medicine Clinics: Visit Follow-up Question
Caller Name: TERRY ; Caller Number: H
_______________________________________________________________
From: TERRY
To: Christina Cannata: AZ-Phoenix-755 E McDowell Rd-Banner - University Medicine Clinics (AZP Neuro McDowell
Neurosurgery - Clinical)
Sent: 12/12/2022 10:22 a.m. MST
Subject: Visit Follow-up Question
Thank you for your message. It has been successfully sent to the appropriate care team.
Christina,
I have arrived back in Tucson for the winter.
We were going to get a new MRI this early winter as discussed in September when I was at the Banner hospital due to another episode of pain in the lower back and not able to walk due to pain.
I can get the T spine and this lump area in my lower spine left L5 area (I describe below) MRI in Tucson if you order one.
Also, I have a painful muscle knot in my left lower back (to the touch as I tried to get it to release by lying on a tennis ball) about the L5 area and about 2 inches off the spine.
The muscle knot It has been there for months and is usually the precursor for another extreme painful episode and not being able to walk. Is this knot due to the pinched T spine cord as the signal can not get back to the brain.
If you can give me a RX for PT to see if they can get this to release. Or, is this really not a knot and should be examined on MRI also as this is a precursor to my episodes?
Thanks for your time,
January 3, 2023
Assessment and Plan
Extracted from:
Title: Office Visit Note Author: CANNATANP, CHRISTINA MARIE Date: 1/3/23
1. Arachnoid cyst of spine
Mr. xxxx is back for follow-up. He is almost 1 year from thoracic laminectomy and arachnoid web resection. Since last September he has had less discomfort in his thoracic spine but continues to have lower back pain. He has actually seen Dr. McCommick in NewYork for a second opinion who suggested a potential reexploration of the thoracic area. We had a long discussion with the patient and his wife regarding all options. I reviewed his MRI from September and from December which show no obvious changes. Given the totality of his symptoms ! believe that the risks of another surgery far outweigh the potential benefits. I recommended that he engage with pain management down in Tucson. He requested a specific type of MRI sequence to better delineate potential neurovascular anomalies in the spine which l am happy to order for him. Otherwise all questions answered in detail and family was agreeable and happy with the plan.
NOT HAPPY AT ALL. Pain management is now his solution? Move on to the next patient and hand me off with no success!
January 13, 2023
MR L-Spine W/O Contrast 1/13/2023 08:28 MST 02-MR-23-0000922
Reason For Exam
(MR L-Spine W/O Contrast) arachnoiditis
Report:
EXAM: MR L-Spine W/O Contrast
INDICATION: Low back pain with radiculopathy. Reported history of soft tissue mass off—center from the spine seen on ultrasound.
COMPARISONS: Cord Compression spine MRI dated September 12, 2022.
TECHNIQUE: Multiplanar, multisequence MRI of the lumbar spine was performed without contrast.
CONTRAST: None.
FINDINGS:
Five non rib—bearing lumbar type vertebral bodies. Normal lordotic curvature. No significant lateral curvature. No traumatic malalignment. Facet joints normally aligned. No acute fracture. Vertebral body heights maintained. Minimal mixed signal degenerative endplate changes, also small intraosseous hemangioma within the L4 vertebra eccentric to the left and additional S2 heinangioma, bone marrow otherwise normal.
Conus medullaris terminates at L1—L2. Normal signal intensity of the conus. Normal appearance, signal intensity, and distribution of the cauda equina nerve roots. No intraspinal fluid collection.
Multilevel degenerative findings as follows:
T12—L1: Mild loss of disc space and signal without significant posterior disc bulging or protrusion. Posterior elements normal. No central canal narrowing. No subarticular recess narrowing. No neural foraminal narrowing.
Ll—2: Trace left subarticular/foraminal disc protrusion, disc otherwise normal. Posterior elements normal. No central canal narrowing. No subarticular recess narrowing. No neural foraminal narrowing.
L2—3: Trace circumferential disc bulging, disc otherwise normal. Posterior
Banner Health Patient: , TERRY T
MR#:
DUB: Sex: Male
I MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING I
Report:
elements normal. No central canal narrowing. No subarticular recess narrowing.
No neural foraminal narrowing.
L3—4: Trace circumferential disc bulging. Mild bilateral facet arthropathy. No central canal narrowing. No subarticular recess narrowing. No neural foraminal narrowing.
L4—5: Mild loss of disc height and signal with shallow circumferential disc bulging. There is annular fissuring in the posterior central margin of the disc with trace extruded disc material. Mild/moderate bilateral facet arthropathy. No central canal narrowing. Mild bilateral subarticular recess effacement, abutting the bilateral transiting L5 nerve roots without frank compression. No neural foraminal narrowing.
L5—Sl: Mild loss of disc height and signal. Small annular fissure in the left subarticular margin of the disc. Mild/moderate bilateral facet arthropathy. No central canal narrowing. No subarticular recess narrowing. No neural foraminal narrowing.
Mild lower lumbar paraspinal muscle atrophy. There is an encapsulated fatty mass in the left supragluteal soft tissues, likely lipoma, measuring up to 3.2 x 1.8 cm. Bilateral sacroiliac joints normal. Remaining visualized pelvis unremarkable. Visualized abdominal/pelvic contents unremarkable.
IMPRESSION:
1. Mild multilevel degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine as described in detail above; degenerative changes are generally mild, however there is small annular fissuring within the discs at L4—L5 and L5—S1, which may be a source for this patient’s pain. Mild subarticular recess narrowing at L4—L5.
2. Fatty mass in the left supragluteal soft tissues measuring up to 3.2 cm, likely lipoma. This appears increased in conspicuity compared to prior MRI studies.
I, the signing physician, have personally reviewed the examination and report on this patient and edited the report if necessary. I agree with the report as it is written.
January 13 2023
MRI addendum added after I caught Banner Hospital radiology substituting a Ge Cube MRI for a Ge Fiesta MRI
BANNER -- UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER TUCSON
1625 N Campbell Ave Admit Date: 1/13/2023
Tucson,AZ 85719- FIN:
Patient Type: Outpatient
Admitting Physician:P1-IYSICIAN DU,X Location: 02 UMI
Ordering Physician:nla
Consulting Physician:nla
I MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING I
Exam Date/Time Accession Number:
MR T-Spine W/O Contrast 1/13/2023 08:07 MST
Reason For Exam
(MR T-Spine W/O Contrast) arachnoid we w/h/o resection, arachnoiditis
Addendum
Dedicated FIESTA heavily T2—weighted sequence was performed in both axial and sagittal planes from T2—T8. This had to be done on a separate scanner as the original scanner was unable to perform the sequence secondary to software malfunction after recent upgrade.
These images more clearly show a cystic lesion at the T5 level with an arachnoid membrane at the upper margin, the membrane courses from the dorsal aspect of the spinal cord continuing posteriorly to the posterior dura, see series 6 image 87. It remains unclear if this represents an arachnoid cyst or an arachnoid web. Superior to this membrane, a network of multiple smaller membranes are present, which may be postsurgical in nature or potentially representing arachnoiditis, intravenous contrast may better elucidate this finding.
Inferior to the membrane, the CSF space is relatively homogeneous, with expansion of the homogeneous CSF space against the spinal cord causing spinal cord compression as previously described. Findings suggest either that the arachnoid web is persistent and causing significant alteration of CSF dynamics and cord compression or that an intradural arachnoid cyst has formed.
Posteriorly at the upper T6 level at the region of the laminotomy there is a hypointense nodularity along the dura, this likely represents previous site of durotomy, see series 5 image 142. Inferiorly beginning at the T7 level images begin to be motion degraded.
Page 1 of 3
Printed: 1/17/2023 17:19 MST
TERRY Report Request ID:
Banner Health Patient: TERRY
MR#:
DUB: Sex: Male
I MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING I
Addendum
Final Report
Dictated Date/Time: 01/17/23 04:52 pm MST Interpreted By: ROGERS MD, SAMUEL
NEVILLE
Signature Date Time: 01/17/23 04:52 pm MST :SNR Signed By: ROGERS MD, SAMUEL
NEVILLE
January 18, 2023
This message was sent to Ali Baaj's NP and he refused to answer my questions below in writing.
To: Christina Cannata: AZ-Phoenix-755 E McDowell Rd-Banner - University Medicine Clinics (AZP Neuro McDowell Neurosurgery - Clinical)
Sent: 01/18/2023 12:50 p.m. MST
Subject: Other
Thank you for your message. It has been successfully sent to the appropriate care team.
New addendum came out this morning from radiology. You better go back and look at the fiesta-c images. Obviously you never looked at them.
Dr. Baaj
First off let me thank you for at least ordering the FIESTA MRI and helping me prove to you it is way better than all the rest of the MRI’s in my instance.
Couple items to inform you of:
1. LUMBAR MRI (WAS NOT FIESTA-C) as the radiologist said you did not order it as such.
a. I again had an attack of not being able to walk after seeing you on the 3rd of January. This time at the ER I asked them to ultrasound the area on my lower left back that I asked you to examine on the 3rd. It was concluded that this was a mass but was undersized on the report.
b. Your PA said she did not see it on the previous MRI but the in the new report radiologist does see it in the older version on record. She needs training before telling someone false information.
c. During the lumbar MRI that you ordered it was again seen as about a 3 cm by 1.5cm mass and possibly a Lipoma. This is definitely linked to some kind nerve compression of possibly the sciatic nerve which triggers my spells.
d. This needs to be removed by someone who is familiar with the routing of nerves in this area so nerves are not cut.
e. Why was the FIESTA-c not ordered for the lumbar as promised?
2. T-SPINE FIESTA-c MRI :The Banner Radiology department (schedulers, helpers and technician) here in Tucson lied to me more than three times when I asked to schedule the FIESTA-c MRI saying all the way into the MRI machine on the 13th of January that they were giving me the FIESTA-c MRI. However, I got the disc the same day and viewed it and they switched to an inferior T2 CUBE series (they did not even have the capability/software on that machine.
a. After finding out I called the Radiology Department Head office and got the same runaround about the version they did was superior. After explaining that there is no comparison between the two with regard to CSF artifacts Natalie McMillian (not aware of the fact of CSF flow artifacts) brought me back in that same day (again the radiologist on tried to do a limited axial only FIESTA-c version by telling the tech) they got the axial/sagittal FIESTA-c images. I again said to the tech if you are not doing sagittal and axial don’t do the scan.
b. If you look at the FIESTA-c images you will see they are far superior and now you can actually see the cyst formation that is keeping my compressed spinal cord! It is not that it did not decompress due to being compressed for so long, as you told me. It now shows what the reason is.
c. Why you are not using this method of MRI on patients with neuro issues, like mine, is beyond me. With this resolution for presurgery, it seems to me, the FIESTA-c images are invaluable. Just a graduate from UofA mechanical engineers opinion.
d. The report by the radiologist was supposed to be amended according to Natalie McMillian. That has not happened as of yet and I have called. What is the reason for the delay? It is way more revealing than the less revealing MRI version that Radiology at Banner Tucson first slid in on the morning of January 13.
e. The MRI technician came out to me after performing my T-spine FIESTA-c and asked how I knew about this procedure as he had been doing this for 15 years and had no knowledge of it!
3. I hope you understand that I am very disappointed in Banner University hospital as a Graduate of that college. A Little more research like University of California into FIESTA-c imaging is warranted by the UofA Banner Neuro and Radiology Departments. They give ten instances of use for this. GE made the software for this yet no one knows about it.
4. I would also hope you amend your report on my situation and discuss the new findings and what happened due to your surgery on my arachnoid web. It is not decompressed due to it being there a long time as you and your PA previously said in messages and in person.
5. I still have episodes of dizziness, nausea and numbness in my hamstring/leg.
I await your report,