MRI results and epidural fibrosis?

Posted By Jim on December 31, 1998 at 09:02:15:







Just a few quick questions for you.  I had a laminectomy in 1995 at L4-L5.  After a recent injury, I had a new MRI completed.  The radiologist wrote the following: "This MRI study of the lumbar spine with and without intravenous contrast infusion reveals evidence of a previous laminectomy on the left at the L4-5 level with epidural fibrosis in the left lateral recess." First question: epidural fibrosis is scar tissue, right? And everyone gets this tissue as a part of the healing process? Couldn't the MRI tell if there is nerve impingement by this fibrosis (the radiologist never states this, just that it is there)? I'm just a little confused why even mention it if it's not involved.  Thank you in advance.