Mri Cervical Spine

[marian13]

Hello Everyone.

I have sent some posts recently on the MS forum regarding balance and tilted vision that i have been experiencing for almost 6 months now. I have  just had MRI of Cervical Spine and the results are as follows.

Normal vertebral body height. Straightening of the normal lordosis.
No intrinsic cervical cord abnormality or white matter disease.
Multilevel lower cervical disc degeneration.

C3-4: Mild central disc protrusion slightly indenting the cord just right of the midline.
C4-5: Mild broad-based central and right paracentral disc bulge slightly indenting the cord.
C5-6: Large left paracentral disc protrusion causing cord compression and narrowing of the left lateral recess and foramen.
C6-7: Focal right paracentral disc protrusion compressing the cord and narrowing the right exit foramen and lateral recess.

Summary: Multilevel degenerative disease, with neurological compression most pronounced on the left at C5-6 and on the right at C6-7.

Can any of you give me an idea about  neurological compression and what it means? I feel as if i am a bit drunk a lot of the time. I seem to fall against things and it is very hard at times to do things as i feel my legs just can't hold me. I would appreciate any ones comments.

As i have said on my other posts i don't know what is wrong with me.

Thanking You.

Lorraine.

[philnoir]

It is difficult to say for certain that an imbalance comes from spinal stenosis. We don't understand why stenosis causes imbalance -- we just know that in some patients, it does. Hence the label "idiopathic" is often used. Idiopathic and "idiot" both are based on the same word, meaning: doctors are idiots when it comes to many kinds of syndrome :#)

This could be an inner ear problem for all we know. See what your neurologist says.

Best wishes.

[marian13]

Many thanks for your reply.

I thought this might be the cause of my unbalance, i am due to see my neuro again soon. I am waiting to have brain MRI with contrast soon as i do have a lot of white matter on my brain.


Kind Regards

[philnoir]

Neurological compression means exactly what it sounds like -- a compression of nerves.

In this case, ddisc material from DDD is pressing on the nerve roots at C5-C7, (foramenal stenosis) probably causing pain or other uncomfortable sensation in the neck, arms, hands, and perhaps upper back.

Loss of balance may be due to your neck problem or other causes.

You need a doctor's care to diagnose the cause behind your dizzyness.

Mild foramenal stenosis can be treated in most cases without surgery, using physical therapy and NSAIDs.