ADDENDUM - May 2000

It is no longer considered necessary to use a contrast agent in MRI scanning provided that the scan is T2 weighted, high resolution preferably with a stir cycle. Although this scan is considered the diagnostic test, it must however, be remembered that not all scans are sensitive enough to detect arachnoiditis, especially in the early stages. In any case, as regards MRI as a tool to assess the severity of the condition, it is comparable to using a chest X-ray to determine the heart rate and rhythm. Therefore, other tests such as Electromyograms (EMG) and nerve conduction studies (NCV) may be very useful in assessing the extent of nerve impairment.

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
APPENDIX I: AUTOIMMUNE ASPECTS
APPENDIX II: SYRINGOMYELIA
ADDENDUM - May 2000
NEXT: REFERENCES