# CTA scans **URL:** \ **Category:** General\ **Created:** [September 26, 2026, 7:09am UTC](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/cta-scans/24468 "2026-09-26T07:09:34Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Hopee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/7ab992/32.png) [@Hopee](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/u/Hopee)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2026, 7:09am UTC](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/cta-scans/24468/1 "2026-09-26T07:09:34Z")
Hello all I just got my CTA files, can anyone help me analyse them? ---
**Author:** ![Jules](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.livingwitheagle.org/jules/32/404_2.png) [@Jules](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/u/Jules)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2026, 3:15pm UTC](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/cta-scans/24468/2 "2026-09-26T15:15:27Z")
If you can take any personal info off, you could upload them here and we can take a look, although obviously not doctors… If you have images which look like this, they’re helpful: ![image](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/uploads/ben_eagle/original/2X/3/37468c6c1fe4c58a76efcd1b9dcf7cdaef735513.jpeg) and also axial images like in this discussion: [Sharing My Journey. Thoughts Welcome! - General - Living with Eagle](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/sharing-my-journey-thoughts-welcome/23538/3) There’s also a tutorial to help you learn the anatomy yourself if you’re interested: [Axial CT tutorial - General - Living with Eagle](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/axial-ct-tutorial/19882) ---
**Author:** ![Hopee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/7ab992/32.png) [@Hopee](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/u/Hopee)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2026, 4:32pm UTC](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/cta-scans/24468/3 "2026-10-06T16:32:47Z")
![image](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/uploads/ben_eagle/original/3X/6/9/69ecfb4e7b9957429d0a760009181fec55bac208.jpeg) ![image](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/uploads/ben_eagle/original/3X/0/8/0895967ce032d10ec286cb63eec11c186847880e.jpeg)Can anyone please tell me why circled area looks different? ---
**Author:** ![Isaiah\_40\_31](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.livingwitheagle.org/isaiah_40_31/32/3054_2.png) [@Isaiah\_40\_31](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/u/Isaiah_40_31)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2026, 4:41pm UTC](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/cta-scans/24468/4 "2026-10-06T16:41:43Z")
@Hopee - Do you have a picture from behind i.e. of your spine & skull from the back side? That might make it easier to see what is going on with your C2/C3 vertebra. Here’s an example from our forum: [![](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/uploads/ben_eagle/original/2X/8/862ac987953e223d592495823299cf047111680a.jpeg) ](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/uploads/ben_eagle/original/2X/8/862ac987953e223d592495823299cf047111680a.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![Hopee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/7ab992/32.png) [@Hopee](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/u/Hopee)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2026, 4:51pm UTC](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/cta-scans/24468/5 "2026-10-06T16:51:46Z")
![image](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/uploads/ben_eagle/original/3X/1/1/11cba2cc3a0d081b227081c7ec80e37d0c26ab74.jpeg)I have this, does this help ? ---
**Author:** ![Isaiah\_40\_31](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.livingwitheagle.org/isaiah_40_31/32/3054_2.png) [@Isaiah\_40\_31](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/u/Isaiah_40_31)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2026, 5:57pm UTC](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/cta-scans/24468/6 "2026-10-06T17:57:14Z")
Yes, that picture is very helpful. I’ve annotated what I see in the image below: ![image-4](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/uploads/ben_eagle/original/3X/d/1/d188886a41f8830e38b77604fb50a077b8ec18d2.jpeg) As noted, your right C2 facet is not sitting evenly on top of the C3 facet which is why it looks odd from the side. The left C2 facet is sitting evenly on the C3 facet. I’ve marked both so you can see the difference. I don’t know if the right sided C2/C3 situation is a problem or not. If you have pain in that area then it could be coming from that facet misalignment. Other things of note are that there’s evidence of collateral vein development on both sides but the left is much more significant than the right. This means that you likely have bilateral IJV compression but it’s more severe on the left OR the left is your dominant IJV so more collateral veins have developed there to try to help it drain the deoxygenated blood & toxins out of your brain. The internal carotid arteries take freshly oxygenated blood into your brain. The last thing I noted is that your left vertebral artery looks tortuous (twisted) is possibly looped or has a kink that could be impacting blood flow through it. Please remember that I’m not a doctor so these suggestions need to be discussed w/ & confirmed or denied by a doctor. ---
**Author:** ![Hopee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/7ab992/32.png) [@Hopee](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/u/Hopee)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2026, 7:43pm UTC](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/cta-scans/24468/7 "2026-10-11T19:43:47Z")
Hello all. I have a question. If IJV’s are blocked and collateral veins are formed to compensate for it, why it still IJV compression a problem? Appreciate your help. ---
**Author:** ![Isaiah\_40\_31](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.livingwitheagle.org/isaiah_40_31/32/3054_2.png) [@Isaiah\_40\_31](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/u/Isaiah_40_31)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2026, 8:12pm UTC](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/cta-scans/24468/8 "2026-10-11T20:12:47Z")
The collateral veins enlarge as “emergency helpers” to keep pressure from getting too high inside the brain, however, they usually can’t do as good of a job as the IJVs do to drain deoxygenated blood & toxins from the brain, so there is still pressure that builds up in the brain which causes the symptoms of IJV compression. Since the collaterals are not supposed to be the size they become in order to help the IJVs, the collaterals themselves can cause symptoms like occipital skull base pain, upper neck pain & pain in the back of the head. I had significant occipital pain that continued after my styloidectomies. It took me several years to learn that was because I had IJV compression & significant collateral veins which my doctor hadn’t noticed so I had to have a 3rd surgery done by a doctor who does IJV decompression surgeries. Since then my occipital pain is gone. ---
**Author:** ![Chrickychricky](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.livingwitheagle.org/chrickychricky/32/15581_2.png) [@Chrickychricky](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/u/Chrickychricky)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2026, 12:18pm UTC](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/cta-scans/24468/9 "2026-10-12T12:18:17Z")
@Hopee Think of like cars streaming fast on an 8 lane super highway that suddenly closes and all the vehicles have to offramp onto small backroads. You eventually get where you want to go but it takes a lot more time. ---
**Author:** ![Jules](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.livingwitheagle.org/jules/32/404_2.png) [@Jules](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/u/Jules)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2026, 4:14pm UTC](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/cta-scans/24468/10 "2026-10-12T16:14:08Z")
Love that analogy @Chrickychricky , thank you! 😀 ---
**Author:** ![Hopee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/7ab992/32.png) [@Hopee](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/u/Hopee)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2026, 1:09pm UTC](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/cta-scans/24468/11 "2026-10-13T13:09:27Z")
Thank you guys for your replies. The clarification means alot. I saw some 3 tmj doctors and they all said I need to work on my tmj. As I have noticed my jaw deviates and my right jaw is stiff. And my neck also only pains on the right side, plus brain fog in general. I understand having consulted 2 experts for ES and both suggested surgeries for IJV compression. but to start with, it would be easier to progress by choosing to solve the TMJ issue first if they say so. I don’t have any jaw clicking popping but tightness thats why i was reluctant to get tmj treatment. But as everyone knows it’s not the easiest step to straight step into ES surgery, that can be kept for later if required. so i’m going to get my splint made and see how it works for me for the next step. If anyone has any suggestions please feel free to share with me. I am also happy to share my dicom images of CTA with anyone willing to help. I am short and my styloids are 4cm left and 3.5cm right side. I am hoping to get some relief soon. As the stiffness and brain fog has completely slowed me down. Regards ---
**Author:** ![Isaiah\_40\_31](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.livingwitheagle.org/isaiah_40_31/32/3054_2.png) [@Isaiah\_40\_31](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/u/Isaiah_40_31)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2026, 10:59pm UTC](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/cta-scans/24468/12 "2026-10-13T22:59:51Z")
@Hopee - My only comment is that we have a number of members who’ve spent a lot of money trying to correct TMJ problems from splints to jaw PT & injections & it wasn’t until their styloids were shortened that their TMJ issues went away or significantly reduced. Elongated styloids can cause muscle irritation/tightness that increases TMJ symptoms so eliminating the cause of the muscle tightness can eliminate the symptoms of TMJ. I had terrible TMJ symptoms prior to my ES surgeries. I have worn a splint at night for years. I even had trouble w/ my jaw locking open when I yawned. After my surgeries, my jaw pain & locking stopped. My right jaw joint is very worn out, but there is no more pain with chewing, talking, or when I sleep (it used to wake me up). It’s noisy when I chew, but since it doesn’t hurt, I am not bothering to do anything about it at the moment. I had the surgeries that helped my TMJ symptoms in 2014/2015 so it’s been 11 years since my jaw pain stopped, & it hasn’t come back. I completely understand you wanting to try the most conservative approach first, so I don’t want to discourage you because it might help, but I wanted you to know what my experience has been on the forum & in my life. ---
**Author:** ![Chrickychricky](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.livingwitheagle.org/chrickychricky/32/15581_2.png) [@Chrickychricky](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/u/Chrickychricky)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2026, 11:18am UTC](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/cta-scans/24468/13 "2026-10-14T11:18:29Z")
@Hopee If you have IJV compression and related symptoms you are not likely to get any symptom relief targeting your TMJs. If those joints are causing you too much problem you might consider and wait and see approach. ---
**Author:** ![Hopee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/7ab992/32.png) [@Hopee](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/u/Hopee)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2026, 1:02pm UTC](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/cta-scans/24468/14 "2026-10-14T13:02:01Z")
Thank you guys for your experiences. I think it’s eagles too but let’s hope for the best. One step closer will still be close. Will know until November after a few days of wearing the orthotic if it works or no. Then I decide the next step. Even I am eager to solve this and get back to normal life. You guys deserve huge appreciation and thanks 🙏 ---
**Author:** ![Isaiah\_40\_31](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.livingwitheagle.org/isaiah_40_31/32/3054_2.png) [@Isaiah\_40\_31](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/u/Isaiah_40_31)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2026, 5:30am UTC](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/cta-scans/24468/15 "2026-10-15T05:30:39Z")
@Hopee - You’ll need to wear the dental splint for more than a few days to determine if it’s helpful or not. I’d say at least a month unless it makes your symptoms significantly worse after a few days. ---
**Author:** ![Hopee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/7ab992/32.png) [@Hopee](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/u/Hopee)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2026, 6:11pm UTC](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/cta-scans/24468/16 "2026-10-19T18:11:58Z")
Hello all thank you for your replies and I hope everyone is doing well. I have a few questions- Has anyone noticed a tilt? Like one head up one down or shoulder up down or like slight rotation in spine with eagles? Also, Has anyone gotten diagnosed with eagles with just brain fog, feeling slow and lazy in general, bad posture, even though long styloids, but no ear issue or like throat issues? And has gotten styloidectomy for same in this case? Please help and advise thank you 🙏 ---
**Author:** ![Isaiah\_40\_31](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.livingwitheagle.org/isaiah_40_31/32/3054_2.png) [@Isaiah\_40\_31](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/u/Isaiah_40_31)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2026, 11:33pm UTC](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/cta-scans/24468/17 "2026-10-19T23:33:36Z")
@Hopee - My head tilted to the right but I didn’t notice it until I was recovering from my ES surgeries. It has straightened out some over the years since my surgeries. I have slight scoliosis that developed after I became an adult so that may have contributed to my head tilt. For a long time my right shoulder was also slightly lower than my left but I believe they are level now. I can’t tell you for sure that ES was the cause of my head tilt & shoulder drop. I have been working on improving my posture so it’s possible that has contributed to my body straightening out. It’s possible ES played a role in my head tilt/shoulder drop because the nerves affected by elongated styloids can cause uneven muscle tension, & when side of the body is tighter than the other, things like a head tilt & shoulder drop or elevation can be the result. > [@1 month post op external surgery with Dr. Slavin](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/1-month-post-op-external-surgery-with-dr-slavin/508/5): > > I recently had a shortening of my right styloid internally. I definitely have facial, neck and shoulder weakness on my affected side. Dropped shoulder, dropped eyelid slightly, tongue deviation to right side. I haven't had any relief from these yet (only had surgery 2 weeks ago) but I also suspect that if nerve impingement has caused these symtoms in me, that it is likely that not enough of the process was taken out to relieve it in ym case. Am going to try some pretty intensive physio for a few… > [@Hopee](#): > > Has anyone gotten diagnosed with eagles with just brain fog, feeling slow and lazy in general, bad posture, even though long styloids, but no ear issue or like throat issues? Yes people have been diagnosed with ES with no ear or throat symptoms & have had surgery. Here is a link to a post about possible ES symptoms so you can check to see if there are some you have that you didn’t think ES could cause: > [@ES Information: Common Symptoms And Possible Explanations For Them](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/es-information-common-symptoms-and-possible-explanations-for-them/1389): > > ES Information: Common Symptoms And Possible Explanations For Their Causes: Disclaimer: These answers to common questions were put together for new members to gain a head start in finding information about Eagle Syndrome; to give you confidence to discuss issues with your medical team and to encourage you to research issues further for yourselves. It was compiled by a volunteer Moderator, who does not claim to be a medical professional, merely an informed observer and patient! The sources used… ---
**Author:** ![Hopee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/7ab992/32.png) [@Hopee](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/u/Hopee)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2026, 9:03am UTC](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/cta-scans/24468/18 "2026-10-21T09:03:40Z")
Thank you so much for your reply​🥺 It is all so overwhelming and confusing tbh. Even Dr Kamran said to check for other things even though my IJV is compressed by styloid but maybe more research is needed. Doctors I see locally also are not sure if only IJV compressed/styloid is the reason. I have extreme right sided tightness, brain fog, occipital brain fog, neck clicking. Maybe it’s just depression/anxiety that caused all this? I don’t know it’s tough to believe it’s all due to ES when so many experts don’t see clearly too. Maybe if I had straight forward symptoms like throat pain etc I would be clear or ear ringing but fortunately I don’t have any of these. Doctors see I have atlas misalignment, both long styloids and IJV compressions, right side more compression, I also started wearing a TMJ appliance bcos they think it’s because of TMJ, even though I have no jaw clicking or no symptoms in jaw. It’s all on the back of my head on right side and it’s causing extreme tightness. Can we do another test or something like that makes it sure that it’s because of styloid? Dr thinks styloid wouldn’t cause alignment issues or muscles issues. Please help. ---
**Author:** ![Hopee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/7ab992/32.png) [@Hopee](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/u/Hopee)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2026, 1:09pm UTC](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/cta-scans/24468/19 "2026-10-21T13:09:38Z")
I also believe to have recommended to get a tongue tie release as I have stage3/4 tongue tie. Even though my tongue can reach my upper palate. I read that can also cause issues with the neck and posture? ---
**Author:** ![Jules](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.livingwitheagle.org/jules/32/404_2.png) [@Jules](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/u/Jules)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2026, 3:24pm UTC](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/cta-scans/24468/20 "2026-10-21T15:24:04Z")
I don’t think that depression or anxiety would cause the symptoms you’re experiencing , but they’re common when you have symptoms which doctors can’t explain or treat! > [@Hopee](#): > > Can we do another test or something like that makes it sure that it’s because of styloid? A dynamic CT Venogram with pressure manometry can look at IJV compression in more detail and see what effect different head positions have on the flow through the IJVs, but this is an invasive procedure and does have some risks, I don’t know if there are any neurovascular surgeons in your area who would do this though? A lumbar puncture is sometimes used as a diagnostic tool to see if there is increased CSF pressure which can be caused when the IJVs are compressed. Some members have had an ultrasound of their IJVs to see if they are compressed, it’s easier to get done and not invasive, but this isn’t as accurate. > [@Hopee](#): > > I also believe to have recommended to get a tongue tie release as I have stage3/4 tongue tie. Even though my tongue can reach my upper palate. I read that can also cause issues with the neck and posture? There have been some discussions about this: [Tongue Ties Related to Developing ES - General - Living with Eagle](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/tongue-ties-related-to-developing-es/20887) [Root cause - General - Living with Eagle](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/root-cause/23693) [Need a help with a doctor for differential diagnostics of IJV compression or possible formation in carotid sinus - General - Living with Eagle](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/need-a-help-with-a-doctor-for-differential-diagnostics-of-ijv-compression-or-possible-formation-in-carotid-sinus/20782/14) [Which first? Styloidectomy or lower jaw surgery? - General - Living with Eagle](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/which-first-styloidectomy-or-lower-jaw-surgery/24108/3) So it could have possibly affected your neck it seems! [Next page](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/cta-scans/24468.md?page=2)