Arachnoiditis is a consequence of chronic inflammation of the arachnoid (membrane that protects nerves spinal cord), including all meningeal layers. This inflammation can lead to the formation of scar tissue., causing spinal nerves to stick together, which causes a malfunction..
This progressive disease is characterized by inflammation of both the brain and spinal cord.. In most cases it affects the nerves that link the lower back with the legs.
People with arachnoiditis, they can hardly lead a normal life. Disabled due to constant pain.
Index
Causes of arachnoiditis
The cause of the inflammation of the arachnoid may be activated by:
It should be noted that this type of infection is rare..
Traumatic injury. When a strong blow occurs in the spine, causes spinal cord injury, compressing it.
chemical agent. Arachnoid inflammation is often attributed to epidural steroid injections.. These steroids contain methylprednisolone acetate or triamcinolone acetonide.. Epidural anesthesia has also reported cases.
spinal compression. Caused by cancer that has metastasized to the spine or degenerative disc disease. It can also be compressed by a herniated disc..
surgeries. A bad practice in spinal surgery.
Symptoms of arachnoiditis
The patient suffering from arachnoiditis commonly has sharp pain and itching. But it can also present symptoms of general and local types:
General. constant headache, which intensifies in the morning and is often accompanied by nausea. The person has an irritable character, feel weak and tire quickly. Suffer from sleep disorders.
Locales. Local symptoms will depend on the point where the inflammation is located. So that, the patient has decreased senses of smell and vision, excessive sweating (diaphoresis) for no obvious reason, very thirsty and muscle cramps.
Treatment for arachnoiditis
We must start by saying that this disease is incurable, but nevertheless it must be controlled, since the patient runs the risk of becoming an invalid.
Surgical intervention is generally sterile in this case, in fact it can be harmful and can make the person's situation worse. In some cases it removes scar tissue from the affected area, through surgical intervention, but this technique has been unsuccessful since in the recovery it has been detected regeneration of more scar tissue and the complications in the spine return. relief is temporary.
The treatment seeks to reduce inflammation of the arachnoid and mitigate pain, by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and analgesics, both narcotic and non-narcotic.
Some specialists advise physiotherapy combined with exercises, followed by a pain management program. Others recommend stimulating the spinal cord with electricity, to block pain signals.
Current advances for the total cure of arachnoiditis are quite poor, but new methods are still being investigated and it is hoped that in the near future there will be better news for the treatment of this disease.
Complications of arachnoiditis
You can also drive to cauda equina syndrome the cauda equina. Inflammation of the arachnoid can compress the nerve roots at the end of the spinal cord., forcing them to group in the form of a horse's tail. Apart from the pain in the back, the patient will have urinary retention, as these nerves control the bladder.
If due to arachnoiditis a cyst forms within the spinal cord, we will be in the presence of a disorder called siringomielia. This damage can eventually destroy the center of the spinal cord and cause a stiff back., arms and legs. Sensitivity to cold or heat may be lost in the extremities.
If these these complications are not treated in time, become permanent and irreversible.