It is a pain disorder caused by the inflammation of the arachnoid, one of the membranes that surrounds and protects the nerves of the spinal cord. It is characterized by severe stinging, burning pain, and neurological problems.
Causes
- Direct injury to the spine
- Chemicals
- Infection from bacteria or viruses:Infections such as viral and fungal meningitis or tuberculosis can affect the spine.
- Chronic compression of spinal nerves:
Complications from spinal surgery or other invasive spinal procedures:
Bacterial, viral, fungal or parasitic infections that spread to the brain and spinal cord. - Diseases that weaken the immune system e.g. diabetes, AIDS, alcoholism, and organ transplantation.
- Complications arising from brain or spinal surgery.
- Anesthetics, steroids and contrast media administered intrathecally i.e. into the subarachnoid space
- Cancers such as melanoma, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, breast cancer, lung cancer as well as other cancers specific to the brain.
Signs and symptoms
- Tingling, numbness, or weekness in the legs
- Sensations that may feel like insects crawling on the skin or water trickling down the leg
- Severe shooting pain that can be similar to an electric shock sensation
- Muscle cramps spasms and uncontrollable twitching
- Muscle cramps or spasms
- Trouble walking
- Severe headaches
- Vision problems
- Hearing problems
- Dizziness
- Trouble sleeping
- Joint pain
- Loss of balance
Types of Arachnoiditis
- Adhesive Arachnoiditis
- Arachnoiditis Ossificans
- Cerebral Arachnoiditis
- Hereditary Arachnoiditis
- Neoplastic Arachnoiditis
- Optochiasmatic Arachnoiditis
- Postmyelographic Arachnoiditis
- Rhinosinusogenic Cerebral Arachnoiditis