First off, just so you know, during my 3Tesla scan, the injection of contrast dye only provided mild enhancement, as stated by Potter's report. Sometimes, it does nothing. Just because you have an allergic reaction to the dye does not mean you have to rule out having a 3Tesla MRI. She will do them w/out the dye. Also, Dr. Potter stated to me that she interprets the scans, as is her job. She does not order the scans herself. She is a radiologist. Your ordering physician would be the one to provide a clinical diagnosis, primarily based on the symptoms, and then backed up by evidence found on the MRI, if they are taking that into consideration. I contacted her regarding the scar entrapment on the right side of my Alcock's canal, which is minor compared to what was found on the MRI on the left side, which Dr. Hibner then operated on. She commented to me that "the basis for surgery should be on clinical symptoms, not on MRI results." I tend to agree.Ms Wise wrote: For me, the alaternative of going to see Dr. Hillis Potter, a radiologist, would mean that she would only be qualified to interpret the scan and not provide clinical diagnosis of a problem that would not come up on the scan and I also couldn't risk having contrast dye injected again owing to the anaphylactic reaction last year.
In general, one would think a neurosurgeon would be the best person to evaluate a peripheral nerve problem. But we are not talking about the "usual" peripheral nerves here. We are talking about the pudendal nerve, a nerve that hardly any neurosurgeons care to think about or base their practices on. Please don't discount Dr. Hibner or Dr. Antolak's knowledge of the pudendal nerve. They are, a gynecologist and urologist, respectively, but have devoted time, education, and practice to their study of the pudendal nerve. I may be leaving out another doctor or two as well who aren't neurosurgeons. I do believe, and correct me if I am wrong, that Dr. Bautrant in Aix is a gynecologist as well.The best surgeon to evaluate a peripheral nerve problem is 1. A Neurosurgeon; 2. A Plastic Surgeon and 3. an Orthopaedic Surgeon depending on their specialty and geographical location/ experience.
It depends on whether or not you hold credence to the 1.5 Tesla MRN and Dr. Potter's 3 Tesla MRI that she developed the software for. It is a personal opinion, and in my case, I am glad that I went and had Potter's scan. My MRI results were confirmed surgically by Dr. Hibner.I am not belonging to Dr. Filler's office at all nor am I asscoiated with Dr. Filler, other than I saw him for my problem. Yes he is expensive but when I enquired re my problem with a plastic surgeon, his prices were comparable.... On my visit to Dr. Filler, I had a little fall and ended up in the ER of Cedar Sinai for which the bill was in excess of €4,000. In the US you pay dearly for medical services. Also I understand that Dr. Hillis Potter charges $2,800 and I paid $3,000 for my MRN, so the costs are comparable and you have a Neurosurgeon evaluate your spine for other neurological problems. I just hate to see biased and uneven analysis of Doctors when the comparison is not the same. Insurance coverage would appear to be the issue with Dr. Filler's office... he has written extensively about this in his newsletters and in his book, "Do you really need back surgery", which I found excellent. My pain physician also praised it.
I hope you find the right direction to go in, Ms. Wise. I know how difficult it is to get a Dr. to pay attention to you and help you with confusing neuropathic pain. Best of luck to you and please keep us updated.Good luck to you all as I have found myself to have been on a personal Odyssey the last 8 years and for which I feel that for every patient who gets help there are at least the same amount who don't because they may not have the energy or the health to research themselves or a Dr. who will listen to them and help them figure it out......
Ms. Wise
Sincerely,
AM
