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Back pain
by n1k, Oct 05, 2007 10:47PM
Hi,
I had lower back pain and got the MRI done. Following is the report from the MRI tech. Can you please help me diagnoze the problem.
Remarks
A focal lesion, showing central hypointensity, with peripheral enhancement, is seen in the anterior thecal sac, at the D12/L 1 level, intradural, extra-medullary in location, compressing the conus – cauda junction, with normal conus signal. The etiology is indeterminate , but this morphology is commonly seen either with granulomatous disease or with a vascular malformation. Further evaluation is suggested as relevant.
At L4/5, a diffuse posterior disc bulge is seen, with an asymmetric postero- central herniation, indenting the thecal sac, and touching both L5 nerve roots, left more than right. The rest of the features are as described above.
I had lower back pain and got the MRI done. Following is the report from the MRI tech. Can you please help me diagnoze the problem.
Remarks
A focal lesion, showing central hypointensity, with peripheral enhancement, is seen in the anterior thecal sac, at the D12/L 1 level, intradural, extra-medullary in location, compressing the conus – cauda junction, with normal conus signal. The etiology is indeterminate , but this morphology is commonly seen either with granulomatous disease or with a vascular malformation. Further evaluation is suggested as relevant.
At L4/5, a diffuse posterior disc bulge is seen, with an asymmetric postero- central herniation, indenting the thecal sac, and touching both L5 nerve roots, left more than right. The rest of the features are as described above.
Post Comment
I wish that I could help you but Im not a medic. However what I can say is that you appear to have a similar problem to mine so I will explain to you what I was told as it might help you.
The conus-cauda junction is at the last Thoracic verebra(there are 12) just before the lower back. At this point the nerves supplying the lower limbs and crotch area pass through to go to the lumber(lower back region) .Pressure on this area can cause leg weaknesses,numbness, crotch numbness and problems with bowel and bladder.
Your MRI scan seem to say that the nerve signals are getting through(normal conus signal)
It also says that in the covering that is around the front of the spinal cord (thecal sac) at this specific junction there is a mass that pushing against it but doesnt appear to be stopping the nerve signals from getting through.It is not possible to be absolutely clear what it is from the MRI but one suggestion is a collection of blood vessals (vascular). I recognise this because I have it to at this point.It was called a meningioma and is common and in 99% of people causes not problems at all.In the last 1% im told it can compress on nerve and cause the symptoms i mentioned.
At the base of your back (L4/5) the disc (a shock absorber between the spine bones) is bulging out at the back..a little more to the left.its touching the protective covering around the spinal cord and touching the L4/5 nerves coming out of the verebral colomn from the spinal cord which could cause some of the above symptoms.
i hoped that helped .Its lucky that this is so close to my problem because I understood the words from my consult today!!
good luck
Mj