@jm1 @jenniferhunter @jenatsky

Hi cls1,

how are you?

Happy Easter to you, your family and all the Mayo Clinic Connect users and staff by the way.

I am sad to hear that this compression has come back after all those years being pain free.

I have had this benign tumour of my thoracic spine since I was young (30 years of age) .
It never bothered me and never increased in size.
This tumour is called a thoracic schwannoma and it is benign. It is a nerve sheath tumour.

On the 1st of April 2023 I had an MRI at the hospital.
The report states the following:
Stable appearances of the left para vertebral soft tissue mass

This is the full report:
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Examination: MR Spine - T with contrast
Date Performed: 1/04/2023

CLINICAL INDICATION:
Review thoracic schwannoma
TECHNIQUE: Pre and post intravenous contrast enhanced MRI of the thoracic spine.
FINDINGS: Comparison with a prior study dated 14/1 1/2020.
The left T2 level para vertebral mass measures axial dimensions of 21 x 22 mm with a craniocaudal length of 29 mm. Whilst there is internal heterogeneous signal, it is predominately T2 hyperintense, T1 hypointense and demonstrates patchy heterogeneous enhancement. There is no expansion of the subjacent neural foramen. No erosion or bone marrow oedema on the subjacent vertebral body. The left subclavian artery lies in close proximity to the lesion, being just anterior to it.
Thoracic spine scoliosis and mechanical change through the imaged cervical and thoracic spine. Non enhancing subdermal subcutaneous well encapsulated lesion in the posterior soft tissues of the mid thoracic spine measures approximately 13 mm. It is T2 hyperintense and T1 hypointense Axial imaging has not been performed. It is favoured to represent a sebaceous cyst. Please correlate clinically and with ultrasound if appropriate.
CONCLUSION:
Stable appearances of the left para vertebral soft tissue mass.
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In the last 2 days I had a set back. I was somehow managing my pain bit better for the last 2 weeks but it has returned stabbing me in the left hand side of the neck.

Symptoms are sharp pain, stabbing pain, referred pain, numbness, tightness into the groin, back of my calves (slightly) and feet. The left foot hurts under and above including some toes. The right one is slightly better.

Why would a pain in the neck cause such symptoms all the way to the feet?

In my December 2022 MRI report they mention the following:
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Comment:
1. Mild to moderate C4/5 and mild C5/6 central canal stenosis.
2. Right C4/5, left C5/6 and right C6/7 neural compressive foraminal stenosis.
3. Thoracic upper and mid facet joint degenerative change as well as costovertebral degenerative changes as described.
4. Left paravertebral mass distal to the left T2/3 neural foramen. A nerve sheath tumour is most likely. Postcontrast sequences are recommended to further evaluate.
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Can the Mild to moderate C4/5 and mild C5/6 central canal stenosis and Right C4/5, left C5/6 and right C6/7 neural compressive foraminal stenosis be causing this?

Maybe a worsening over the last 3 months?

How can I manage this on top of medication? I.E. gentle exercises?

I have contacted my new spine specialists and made them aware of these symptoms.
Hopefully I get an answer.

I have attached my original evaluation by an orthopaedic surgeon back in Sep 2022. Looks like things got worse.

Thank you

Best regards

Alfred