question reg cervical and thoracic spine MRI

[Joso]

Dear Doctors,

I am a woman 35 years old.I have been really frustrated about my symptoms now for over 9 months. finally I have had a full spine MRI.

Symtpoms:
Tingling/pins and needl.in vaginal ang groin area - come and go during the day, chills in both legs, twitches in abdomen, legs and feet.


Neck pain and sligth arm pain in left arm.

Cervical MRI: Degeneratio disci et spondylosis col. cervicalis
             C 5/C 6
             Arthrosis unkovertebrale C5/C6 sin.

There is mild flattening of the cord without actual compression at C5/C6. There is mild kyphosis

Question: Please tell me if this is normal findings for a 35 year old? will it get worse over time and problay parly paralyse me? What should I expect?

Thoracic spine:

localised posterior spondylosis at T10 - T11 with osteophyteform.
most promient lateral to the right in spinal canal. There is a small prolapse at the same level to the right.
The changes shows some impression of medulla.

Impression: proplapsus disci

Question:
1) are these normal findigns for my age?
2) How serious is this and could it be causing my problems?
3) We were planning pregnancy, but is it possible at all with this conditon?
4) Is there any possibility that symptoms might go away wihtout
surgery?
5)I suppose I will have to give up my Golf playing forever?

I have read scary stories about thoracic prolapses, and I am now
at the point of depression.

I hope to get some clarificiation from you specialist as to what to do and expect, and the degree of how serious it is.

Thanks so much.

[CCF-Neuro-M.D.-PW]

I cannot give you a clinical diagnosis or formal interpretation of MRI studies over the internet as this website is purely educational. If you have not discussed the MRI fingings with your doctors or neurologist I suggest you do to get a clear picture of your case.

I'm not sure if the MRI report was originally in another language? as some of it does not make sense, this also limits any kind of interpretation

In general there seems to be some 'wear and tear' and arthritic changes in the spine. This occurs in everybody depending on age and level of physical activity. Disc prolapse is also common, and can be anything from mild (causing no symtpoms) or severe (causing spinal cord problems). I cannot comment specifically on how bad your prolapse is without seeing the MRI films.

Its important not to automatically attribute clinical symptoms to 'mild' degrees of prolapse. Mild prolapse does not indicate surgery, and most of the time does not become 'severe'. However if you did develop an inability to walk or pass urine this may mean that the prolapse is worse, and requires urgent medical attention.

Prolapse might become worse in pregancy, but it might not. I don't think it means you cannot become pregnant, but I cannot give you this advice, it needs to come from your own doctor.

Good luck

[heart2heart]

I have some of the same findings you have. You basicly have degenerative changes in your spine with bone spurring and a prolapsed disc. I'm not the MD so I can't tell you what your prognosis will be, but these changes take place gradually over many years.  While it seems you're a little young for this, everyone ages differently. I've had bone spurs in my cervical spine since my 20's! There's no mention of any actual spinal cord compression so that is a good sign. Have you had an MRI of the lumbar spine done also? There is no mention of your lumbar discs. BTW..was the MRI done in a different country?

[Joso]

Sorry I forgot to mention that I did have a complete normal Lumbar spine, no comments at all.

Yes my MRI was done in sweden.