MRI reports 6 wks apart

[roknrizz]

HI
I am a 47 year old male, 5’8 170
For the past 21 years I have been self-employed as a Mech. contractor.
I am presently seeing a neuro-surgeon who has me on 800 mg motrin which helps for pain but it tears up my stomach. I am sch. for physical therapy on June 25 for 5 weeks @3 times per week.

Below is portions of MRI reports done in March 07 and May 07
I have no idea what any of it means but I do notice the lines of writing is longer on the May report. My doctor doesn't speak good english but I got the impression from him there is a difference.

Can anyone reply on what is significant between the 2 reports.

Thanks
Ron




03/13/07

At L3-L4, there is bulge of the disc annulus and facet hypertrophy encroaching on the thecal sac. Borderline Stenosis is suspected. There is encroaching on the superior lateral recesses of L4 and mild to moderate encroachment on the neural foramina bilaterally secondary to the disc and facet disease. These findings are unchanged.

At L4-L5, there is bulge of the disc annulus and ligamentous and facet hypertrophy. There is posterior convexity of the disc at and to the right of midline encroaching on the thecal sac, narrowing the AP diameter of the canal to 8 mm and encroaching on the superior lateral recesses of L5, most prominent on the right. There is moderate to severe encroachment on the neural foramina bilaterally. These findings are similar to prior study.


05/01/07

At L3-L4, there is bulge of the disc annulus and ligamentous and facet hypertrophy encroaching on the thecal sac. The AP diameter of the canal measures 10 to 11 mm. There is preservation of CSF and epidural fat signal. Stenosis is borderline. There is degenerative encroachment on the superior lateral recesses of L4 and mild to moderate encroachment on neural foramina.

At L4-L5, there is bulge of the disc annulus and ligamentous and facet hypertrophy and broad posterior disc protrusion encroaching on the thecal sac, effacing CSF signal and narrowing of the Ap diameter of the canal to 8 mm. There is encroachment on the superior lateral recesses of L5 and moderate to severe encroachment on neural foramina bilaterally secondary to disc protrusion, disc bulge and facet disease. Moderate spinal stenosis is present.  There is mild eccentric prominence of the disc protrusion on the right. Findings are similar to prior exam.

[Bonzog]

The reports say the same things just using slightly different descriptive wording

[roknrizz]

Bump