Re: Re: More on MRI/Results

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In a message dated 3/17/2005 6:30:41 A.M. Central Standard Time,

alizaratterree@... writes:

You might not be able to do anything about it, but it

can possibly give you an additional dx that you can

arm yourself with to get your insurance company to

provide services that they might otherwise not cover.

Have you found this to be the case?

Aliza

--- kgreeceman@... wrote:

> His MRI revealed cerebellar ectopia,

I should have said that the doctor said there's nothing we can do about it

because it's a mild case and the low muscle tone my son has is permanent as a

result and is something he will always have, hence, treatments are PT and OT.

My son reached all his PT goals but one (hopping on one foot in long leaps)

and he is still receiving OT, probably for years to come. His right side was

noticeably weaker than his left but now they are equal (improved). He use to

wear orthotics because one leg was shorter than the other but he has gone

through 3 growth spurts since that diagnosis and both legs are now the same

length. Insurance is covering it, in fact I was afraid they wouldn't pay for

the orthotics but they paid for most of it, I think my out-of-pocket expense

was $13. I have Blue Cross/Blue Shield Anthem PPO and they cover SP, PT and

OT.

I don't remember where I read this anymore, but what I recall is some

researcher saying if the cause of autism is ever known that it will most likely

be

that autism is a hundred different diseases. It is mind boggling to read

about all the different problems/disorders that go hand-in-hand with ASD and

how

not all people are afflicted the same way with the same problems.

Here's more on the definition of cerebellar ectopia...

Chiari, a German pathologist assigned a grade to the malformations

beginning with Type I, the mildest form. Chiari

malformations are also known by the following medical terms:

herniation of the cerebellar tonsils, cerebellar ectopia, hindbrain

herniation, and Arnold-Chiari malformations, with Arnold-Chiari

malformations being specific to type II malformations. Scientists and

physicians further define Chiari malformations by the exact millimeter

of brain stem that extends into the neck.

Chiari type I malformations are a result of the smallest degree of

herniation and are not associated with spina bifida. Chiari type II

malformations are almost exclusively associated with a type of spina

bifida known as a myelomeningocele, an opening of the spine and spinal

cord on the lower back. Chiari type III and IV malformations are very

rare.