Cisternogram

Erik had a Cisternogram today to find out if he is having CSF (cerebral Spinal Fluid) leaking out of his nose. To explain it easier. You've got a brain, and around the brain is the "dura" which is a layer of tissue that holds in the cerebral spinal fluid...CSF is the same stuff that travels all the way down your spine. The CSF acts as a cushion for the brain. He may have a tear in his dura, which means that he has CSF leaking out of his nose and his eyes.

Today we showed up at OHSU at 7am (way too early for comfort). About 8ish they shoved flat packing that had strings hanging off it; up his nostrils. They are kind of like a very flat tampon. They put two up each nostril with these VERY huge tweezers. Pretty uncomfortable for Erik, he thought the guy was going to poke him in the brain.
Then we got ushered off to radiology. I stood there and held Eriks hand while the Radiologist gave erik a spinal tap. He numbed the spot first with a needle that was a couple inches long. While watching x-rays of Eriks spine, he put a very long needle between his vertebrae. He injected a dye and then a radioactive fluid. The numbing shot hurt a little, the spinal tap shot was only pressure, but the dye hurt very bad. Erik's hips were killing him - but it only lasted a few minutes. This kind of pain is very common...but Erik still hated it.
Erik then got a CT (the big long tube that takes x-rays of his body). Then we went to another building (thru a skybridge) and they took a 'picture' of the radioactive fluid in his brain/spine. They took the packing out of his nose and are testing it for radioactive fluid (this is the best test).
We then went back to Eriks 'room' and waited. The doctor ordered a second CT Scan (which we have no clue why) so we had to go back to do that. So we left the hospital about 4:15.
So, as of now we don't know anything. The lab has to 'spin' the nose packing in order to find out if CSF is in it. The neurologist will review the results from the CT scans and the pictures of the radioactive fluid. We will call in the morning to see if they have the results. Who knows when we will actually find anything out. So..it was a long day and we are both glad its over.

I just want to warn you guys...Erik probably does have CSF leaking out of his nose (and possibly eyes). I will be pretty shocked if the test comes out negative...actually if it is negative, I will think that the test is wrong. The radiologist said that these tests can be/and are frequently inaccurate. Erik had CSF leaking out of his nose in the ICU but it stopped after a few days. We did some research and Erik has 10 out of 12 of the symptoms of CSF leakage (yes, they are most of the same symptoms as brain injury). But finally, Erik is NOT sick...he does not have a cold...and his nose & eyes are leaking a lot during the day...they leak more when he sits up quickly or moves his head around a lot. We will know more tomorrow and I hope that the doc's prove us wrong. If its spinal fluid, then it's likely that Erik will have another surgery to correct the problem - We'll cross that path when we come to it.
Wish us luck and we'll keep you posted. ~Melissa