MRI C Spine Results???

[Wobbly]

Hi everyone, I received my C spine MRI results, boy it's confusing.  

Findings: The alignment of the C Spine demonstrates loss of normal lordosis.  There is no significant high T2 signal identified within ther cervical cord.
C2 - 3 level is unremarkable

C3-4 level demonstrates mild bilateral uncovertebral degenerative changes as well as a small posterior disc osteophyte complex.  No Sign central canal stenosis is identified, Mild right neuroforaminal stenosis.

C4-5 level demonstrates mild to moderate uncovertebral degeneration and associated moderate bilateral neuroforaminal stenosis.

C5-6 level demo marked disc hight loss and end plate osteophytosis as well as Modic type 2 canges.
no significate central canal stenosis is ident. Mild to moderate bilateral neuroforaminal stenosis is seen.

C6-7 level demonstrates moderate to marked bilateral uncovertebral degenerative changes as well as posterior disc osteophyte.  This flattens the cervical cord anteriorly.  No signi stenosis ident.  There is moderate to marked bilateral neuroforaminal stenosis at this level.

C7-T1 is unremarkable.

Impression
Multilevel degenerative changes as described above.  These are most significant at the C6-7 level where there is bilateral marked neuroforaminal stenosis.

hehehe  Anyone??  
sorry for being so long...would this have anything to do with my symptoms??  
thanks if anyone could help.

andie

[doublevision1]

What it sounds like is narrowing (stenosis) of the spinal canal.  This can cause nerve compression and weird sensory symptoms including pain.  I had a touch of this a few years ago.  Mine has nothing to do with my MS, I'm told.  More to do with some typical spinal degeneration having to do with aging; poor posture probably contributed in my case.

From what you present, it does not sound MS-related.  Nothing about lesions and demyelination.  However that is just my non-professional impression.  Quix will be able to respond much more knowledgeably.

db

[Heather3418]

I am certainly not Quix, but "db" speaks correctly.  Nothing mentions anything that has to do with MS lesions, but you seem to several places in your cervical spine with arthritis and some narrowing of the spinal space.

This kind of report would suggest that you may, as 'db' already said, pain and alot of sensory symtpoms along these nerves pathways.  Some could also include symptoms below any of those areas that COULD, notice I said could, affect your legs, bladder or bowels.  This is only my best guess.

As you know the C-6-7 area seems to have the most noticeable stenosis (narrowing).  This would be the area just a couple inches down from the tops of your shoulders.  Approximately.

Heather

[Wobbly]

thanks for the info...I noticed the report didn't mention lesions or looking for MS...the Dr requested Spinal cord compression, trouble with gait and falling over on the referral...

they still would look for MS lesions?  Right?  I hope that would have been done?

do you know where I could look to find out what C vertibre effects your body when they are compressed??  I don't know...I'm lost here..

thanks for you help like always

andie

[doublevision1]

Hmmmm.....if MS is suspected, I wonder why this wasn't stated on the MRI requisition.  I understand that there IS a particular protocol for imagine for suspected MS; has to do with what areas they image, how they take the pics, also includes contrast agent to pick up any active lesions.

Perhaps you should discuss with your physician and return for a more specialized MRI if you both agree this is appropriate.  What about brain and T-spine, have you had those done?  Sorry if I missed this info in a previous post.

When I had my MRIs for suspected MS, I was so hoping they would tell me it was stenosis or something along those lines.  I know at its worst it can be incredibly painful and disabling; but somehow in my head I rationalized this would be better than MS.  I guess I was in the bargaining phase back then.

db

[Wobbly]

I have had two brain MRI which showed tiny non specified Lesion in the corpos collusom and white matter?  that was a year ago... now my GP sent me for the C spine... the

neurolo sent me last year for the brain MRIs...I'm supposed to get another one now..but waiting...for the appt.

I guess I'll wait to see if the Dr thinks all my symptoms will be from this C Spine thing?  
maybe so and I will be out of Limbo Land...I guess I'm just very cautious about things.

I just want to know...like we all do I guess...thanks for the info and I'll keep you updated when I see the Dr..

andie

[LLWB]

Hi Wobbly,
www.spinehealth.com has some very good links about back and neck pain, and the correlation of where the cord is compressed and what that level controls, ie. arms, legs, etc. It sounds like most of your sentosis is at the point where your nerves exit the spinal column. This would give you weakness and pain in legs, and trouble walking. I too have weakness in legs, verified by physical exam by neuro. He ruled out MS, but is still investigative, as I have "spinal cord issues" I just had cervical and thoracic MRI's cone last Sat, am hoping to get results by this weekend. I'm sure the radiologist how reads the MRI's would look for any lesions, and would report them if he saw them. Please let us know what dr says. Hope that website helps you, it has a lot of good info, especially if you have spine problems.....Maggie

[Wobbly]

Thanks so much, maybe this is a Big part of what is wrong with me...I'll keep you informed..

andie