MRI results and I need an answer???

Before I get into my MRI I wanted to know if an MRI would be able to see nerves on it and moreso a pinched nerve? ... I have been having pain into my left leg a little into my right for now going on 4 months... there is tingling, odd sensations, sometimes shooting pain in the front of my left knee cap.. and parathesia all over my left leg into the sole of my left foot.. and a little bit into my right leg..there is also muscle twitching...which is all symptoms of a nerve being compressed... Here are the findings.. these MRIs were done March 4th and 9th of 2010

(Part One.)

EXAMINATION: MRI THORACIC SPINE WITHOUT CONTRAST

HISTORY: Back Pain, Rule out nerve root compression.

TECHNIQUE: T1 and T2 sagittal and stacked T2 axial sequence of the thoracic spine were performed.

FINDINGS: There is a degree of thoracic scoliosis. Alignment of the thoracic spine is normal.  Vertebral body height and marrow signal appear normal throughout.  The thoracic spinal canal is normal in size.  The tip of the conus medullaris is at the L1-2 level.  No abnormality of cord size or signal is seen.  No mass or abnormal fluid collection is seen within the thoracic spinal canal.

There is mild degenerative loss of hydration signal of the disc from T7-8 through T11-12.  No significant disc bulge or protrusion is seen at any level.  No abnormality is seen in the visualized paraspinal tissues.

IMPRESSION:

Scoliosis.  Mild chronic disc degeneration from T7-8 through T11-12.  No evidence of disc herniation or thoracic spinal stenosis.


(Part 2)

EXAMINATION: MRI LUMBAR SPINE WITHOUT CONTRAST  

HISTORY: 37 - Year old female complains of low back pain into bilateral legs times one month.

COMPARISON: None.

TECHNIQUE: FSE T2 sagittal, T1 sagittal, FSE T2 axial angled, T1 axial stacked.

FINDINGS:  There are presumably five lumbar vertebral bodies.  Vertebral bodies are normal in height, signal intensity and alignment.  Disc desiccation is present at the L3-4 and L5-S1 levels.  Moderate disc space narrowing is seen at the L5-S1 level.  The conus medullaris is unremarkable in appearance, terminating at the T12-L1 level.  The congenital size of the spinal canal is within normal limits.  Limited evaluation of the female pelvis on sagittal views demonstrates a 2.5 x 2.1 cm left adnexal cystic structure most compatible with a left ovarian cyst.

Axial images of the lumbar spine demonstrate the following:

T-12-L1,L1-2,L2-3,L3-4: No significant disc bulging, neural foraminal narrowing, or central stenosis.

L4-5:  There is a 2-mm broad-based disc bulging present.  In conjunction with facet joint hypertrophy, there is a mild proximal left neural foraminal narrowing.  There is no evidence of canal stenosis.  Mild facet joint and ligamentum flavum hypertrophy are noted.

L5-S1:  There is a 2-mm central disc protrusion with annular tear.  The neural foramen and central canal are patent.

The visualized sacrum is unremarkable n appearance.  No paraspinal masses are seen.

IMPRESSION:

!.  2 -mm central disc protrusion with annular tear at  L5-S1 levels




ok there it is...but nowhere do I read that there is ANY nerve compression??  so why now going on 4 months am I still having all this nerve parathesia and muscle twitching.  please if any professionals can answer this and let me know whether I am wrong or right I would appreciate it.  

[squirtatious]

It looks like a relatively great mri. Nothing on there to warent the symptoms ur presenting with unless its ur scoliosis in ur thoracic region. It doesn't say the degree or severity. Usually yes, a mri will show nerve root compression. A standing mri is the best to determine the true value of how bad a problem is. Have you had an EMG study? That will also help to determine if you have a radiculopathy, where it is, and if its due to a nerve compression. Take care:)

[JW2486]

I wonder why they did it without contrast if u have suspected nerve problems? It sounds like a decent MRI to me, apart from the small tear in l5/s1. wish mine looked like that and I've had two surgeries already lol.

[JW2486]

I have nerve damage and I had numerous MRI's and a Myleogram done just to see my nerve compression. Maybe request to have on of those. forgot to add that ;)

[Tiffee]

thanks but JW2486 wouldn't they have found it on the first MRI the nerve compression.

[Tiffee]

No I've not had an EMG study

[JW2486]

I mean it could of got worse, Normally with those symptons I would assume they would use contrast to see better shots or the myleogram.....  Thats just from my experience, of what I had. My MRI's got worse and worse before my surgeries.

[squirtatious]

Tiffee, id request an emg study to be performed to see what it says. On my cervical mri, it did not state cord compression or nerve impingment but on my lumbar mri, it showed severe bilateral spondylolisthesis with pars fractures resulting in  severe bilateral foraminal stenosis which caused  significant bilateral l5/s1 root nerve impingement. Id be interested to hear what your emg study showed once you get one. Take care:)