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Need help understanding MRI results
Hi, I am 30 yrs old and I have been having problems with severe headaches, visual changes, now dragging right foot a little, and some memory issues. I had MRI of brain and spine 3 yrs ago.
At that time MRI of brain was normal, but the MRI of spine states:
The sagittal noncontrast images of the cervical spine show a normal spinal column without signs of sbluxation. There is a focal area of annular signal change at the C5-C6 level with extruded disc cephalad over the posterior limbus of C5 vertebral body. No significant effacement of the cord is noted. Posterior elements are intact. No facet subluxation is noted. The sagittal IR sequence shows no reparative endplate changes in the vertebral body. There is a vague amount of increased signal throughout the cord that may be of significance.
The transaxial images show normal signal from within the cord. No abnormal impressions upon the cord are noted. CSF signal surrounds the cord on the axial images. Base of the skull and C1-C2 levels are unremarkable
The sagittal and axial T1 postgadolinium fat-sat sequences show a small amount of enhancement in the C5-C6 level in the posterior annulus. No enhancement within the cord is noted. The axial images show no abnormal enhancement within the cord. A small amount of enhancement in the epidural space at C5-C6 is present.
Just had a repeat MRI of brain and it was as follows:
The ventricular system and basilar cisterns were of normal size and configuration. A small 5 mm focus of increased signal intesity was present adjacent to the frontal horn of the right lateral ventricle. Two punctuate, faint areas of increased signal intensity were also present within the deep white matter of the right parietal lobe. The diffusion images were unremarkable. Following contrast administration there was no evidence of abnormal enhancement.
I can't get into the neurologist for a few months and worried about results. Any help would be appreciated.
At that time MRI of brain was normal, but the MRI of spine states:
The sagittal noncontrast images of the cervical spine show a normal spinal column without signs of sbluxation. There is a focal area of annular signal change at the C5-C6 level with extruded disc cephalad over the posterior limbus of C5 vertebral body. No significant effacement of the cord is noted. Posterior elements are intact. No facet subluxation is noted. The sagittal IR sequence shows no reparative endplate changes in the vertebral body. There is a vague amount of increased signal throughout the cord that may be of significance.
The transaxial images show normal signal from within the cord. No abnormal impressions upon the cord are noted. CSF signal surrounds the cord on the axial images. Base of the skull and C1-C2 levels are unremarkable
The sagittal and axial T1 postgadolinium fat-sat sequences show a small amount of enhancement in the C5-C6 level in the posterior annulus. No enhancement within the cord is noted. The axial images show no abnormal enhancement within the cord. A small amount of enhancement in the epidural space at C5-C6 is present.
Just had a repeat MRI of brain and it was as follows:
The ventricular system and basilar cisterns were of normal size and configuration. A small 5 mm focus of increased signal intesity was present adjacent to the frontal horn of the right lateral ventricle. Two punctuate, faint areas of increased signal intensity were also present within the deep white matter of the right parietal lobe. The diffusion images were unremarkable. Following contrast administration there was no evidence of abnormal enhancement.
I can't get into the neurologist for a few months and worried about results. Any help would be appreciated.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Thanks for using the forum. I am happy to address your questions, and my answer will be based on the information you provided here. Please make sure you recognize that this forum is for educational purposes only, and it does not substitute for a formal office visit with your doctor.
Without the ability to examine you and obtain a history, I can not tell you what the exact cause of your symptoms is. However I will try to provide you with some useful information.
MRI Spine:
It is essentially normal.
Between the vetebral bodies of the spinal column, is a disc, called the intervertebral disc. With age, there can be degenerative changes in the discs, with out any symptoms, but which are picked up on a MRI. "There is a focal area of annular signal change at the C5-C6 level with extruded disc cephalad over the posterior limbus of C5 vertebral body. No significant effacement of the cord is noted." means that there is minor protrusion of your C5-6 intervertebral disc, but this is not compressing on your spinal cord in any way. In other words it should not be causing neurological symptoms.
"The sagittal and axial T1 postgadolinium fat-sat sequences show a small amount of enhancement in the C5-C6 level in the posterior annulus." This again is probably pointing towards disc changes, which are not significant.
The rest of the report is basically saying that there is no abnormal process in your spinal cord. You may have been alarmed by this comment : " There is a vague amount of increased signal throughout the cord that may be of significance.", however I don't think this is anything to be concerned about since on the "transaxial images", which is a horizontal cut through the cord, your spinal cord appears normal.
MRI Brain:
It is very difficult to say what they mean, with out looking at the images. Usually bright spots, as implied by " areas of increased signal intensity" are not of significance. Some times these can be seen in patients who have a history of migraines or headaches. They can be seen with age, or with a history of high blood pressure, Diabetes , high cholesterol, smoking or heart disease. Some times they can be seen with multiple sclerosis, but these can be easily distinguished according to their location and their shape. In your MRI, it says there is "no enhancement" , meaning there is no active inflammatory, infectious, or malignant ( tumor) process going on.
I hope this helps. There is usually an "impression" at the end of every MRI report which discussed differential diagnoses, which should also help you.
Without the ability to examine you and obtain a history, I can not tell you what the exact cause of your symptoms is. However I will try to provide you with some useful information.
MRI Spine:
It is essentially normal.
Between the vetebral bodies of the spinal column, is a disc, called the intervertebral disc. With age, there can be degenerative changes in the discs, with out any symptoms, but which are picked up on a MRI. "There is a focal area of annular signal change at the C5-C6 level with extruded disc cephalad over the posterior limbus of C5 vertebral body. No significant effacement of the cord is noted." means that there is minor protrusion of your C5-6 intervertebral disc, but this is not compressing on your spinal cord in any way. In other words it should not be causing neurological symptoms.
"The sagittal and axial T1 postgadolinium fat-sat sequences show a small amount of enhancement in the C5-C6 level in the posterior annulus." This again is probably pointing towards disc changes, which are not significant.
The rest of the report is basically saying that there is no abnormal process in your spinal cord. You may have been alarmed by this comment : " There is a vague amount of increased signal throughout the cord that may be of significance.", however I don't think this is anything to be concerned about since on the "transaxial images", which is a horizontal cut through the cord, your spinal cord appears normal.
MRI Brain:
It is very difficult to say what they mean, with out looking at the images. Usually bright spots, as implied by " areas of increased signal intensity" are not of significance. Some times these can be seen in patients who have a history of migraines or headaches. They can be seen with age, or with a history of high blood pressure, Diabetes , high cholesterol, smoking or heart disease. Some times they can be seen with multiple sclerosis, but these can be easily distinguished according to their location and their shape. In your MRI, it says there is "no enhancement" , meaning there is no active inflammatory, infectious, or malignant ( tumor) process going on.
I hope this helps. There is usually an "impression" at the end of every MRI report which discussed differential diagnoses, which should also help you.
Any suggestions would be great.
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