Arachnoiditis

Arachnoiditis
Arachnoiditis is a pain disorder caused by the inflammation of the arachnoid, one of the membranes that surround and protect the nerves of the spinal cord. It is characterized by severe stinging, "burning pain," and neurological problems.

Causes of Arachnoiditis
Inflammation of the arachnoid can lead to the formation of scar tissue and can cause the spinal nerves to stick together and malfunction. The arachnoid can become inflamed because of an irritation from one of the following sources: direct injury, chemicals previously used in myelograms, infection, chronic spinal nerve compression and complications from spinal surgery or invasive procedures.

Symptoms of Arachnoiditis
Arachnoiditis has no consistent pattern of symptoms, but in many people it affects the nerves connecting to the lower back and legs. The most common symptom is pain; but, arachnoiditis can also cause other symptoms. These include the following: tingling, numbness, weakness in the legs. Abnormal sensations like crawling insects, electric shocks, spasms, twitching, as well as bowel, bladder or sexual dysfunction may also occur. The condition is difficulty to diagnosis, but tests such as a CT scan (computerized axial tomography) or MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) are helpful. A test called an electromyogram (EMG) can assess the severity of the ongoing damage to affected nerve roots by using electrical impulses to check nerve function.

Note: Myelograms with the radiographic contrast currently in use, combined with CAT scanning, are not considered to be responsible for causing arachnoiditis or causing it to worsen.

Treatment of Arachnoiditis
There is no cure for arachnoiditis. Treatment options for arachnoiditis are similar to those for other chronic pain conditions. Most treatments focus on relieving pain and improving symptoms that impair daily activities. Often, health care professionals recommend a program of pain management, physiotherapy, exercise, and psychotherapy. Surgery for arachnoiditis is controversial because outcomes can be poor and provide only short-term relief. Clinical trials of steroid injections and electrical stimulation are needed to determine whether those treatments are effective.

Adapted from Web MD

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