LOOKING TO THE FUTURE

Dr. Charles Burton has called arachnoiditis a “scientific orphan”. As yet, systematic, coordinated research is lacking.

Areas for future research include:

1.autoimmune aspects

Aetiology (causes)

Pathology (disease process)

Possible treatments

2.developments in treatment of neuropathic pain

Other projects include:

• Raising public and medical awareness of the syndromic nature of arachnoiditis and of the adverse effects of various types of invasive procedures.
• Working towards a collaborative approach amongst specialists such as neurologists, neurosurgeons, orthopaedic surgeons, immunologists, physiotherapists, and sufferers, to further understanding of this debilitating condition.

Table of Contents

Introduction
THE SCALE OF THE PROBLEM
ARACHNOIDITIS OR EPIDURAL FIBROSIS?
NOMENCLATURE
THE INFLAMMATORY NATURE OF ADHESIVE ARACHNOIDITIS
PATHOLOGY
CLASSIFICATION
CAUSES
THE IATROGENIC ASPECT OF ADHESIVE ARACHNOIDITIS
PRESERVATIVES IN SPINAL INJECTIONS
PROGNOSIS
THE SYNDROMIC NATURE OF SYMPTOMS IN ADHESIVE ARACHNOIDITIS (Warning: LONG)
COMPLICATIONS OF ADHESIVE ARACHNOIDITIS
DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS
CLINICAL ASSESSMENT
DIAGNOSTIC TESTS
TREATMENT OPTIONS (Warning: LONG)
MULTIPLE CHEMICAL SENSITIVITY
LOOKING TO THE FUTURE
NEXT: APPENDIX I: AUTOIMMUNE ASPECTS
APPENDIX II: SYRINGOMYELIA
ADDENDUM - May 2000
REFERENCES