MRI Thoracic Spine Without Contrast

[nurse1973]

Findings: T10-11 there is a focal disc protrusion with inferior extrusion. The disc material protrudes 2-3 mm posteriorly with 7 mm of inferior extrusion. There is impression upon the anterior thecal sac. There is mild posterior bulging of the T8-9 disc. Remainder of the thoracic discs are well maintained.

Impression: Central disc protrusion with inferior extrusion T10-11.

CERVICAL SPINE

At C5-6 1mm central disc protrusion.

LUMBAR SPINE

Unremarkable findings

Any thoughts guys? These were done WITHOUT contrast and Dr didn't even go over my results when I asked about results. He said they were normal. I get a copy of the findings on my way out and this is what I found. Normal? How so?

[EL18]

Just bumping up......

[nurse1973]

I'm lost. I just want to know what this means if anything?

[Quixotic1]

Hi, I was hoping that you would be back!  How are you doing?  Sounds like you're still running into brick walls.  No that report is NOT normal.  It is NOT normal to have disc herniating, although for the most part the are assymptomatic until they impinge on the cord itself.  However, you have one at T10-T11 which protrudes enough to press on the thecal sac (which is the sac  which holds the CSF around the cord.)  He should have mentioned this as something you would need to watch.

Who was this loser who didn't take the time to even read the report, much less apparently look at the films?  GP?  Neuro?  Doing the spine without contrast will only miss very new cord lesions which are not yet scarred, but have surrounding edema and inflammation.  MS lesions are the least common in the T-spine.

Any thoughts about looking for a new doctor?  What else is going on.  We haven't heard from you in a few weeks.  How are you feeling?

Quix

[nurse1973]

I'm very bummed out. This was a Dr that I had high hopes when I saw initially, till I learned my comparsion MRI was not of the brain like he had told me initially he would do. This is of the spine and without contrast wasn't very beneficial. He is a rheumatologist as I haven't had too much luck with anyone taking me seriously. He did tell me 6 wks ago when I saw him for the first time that anyone with a hx of migraines should not be on the pill and that scared me and I went off of it. When I went back to him Friday, I told him that I had a recent period and again started lactating. This is what happened last yr when I went off of the pill. I thought it might be masking other symptoms. I started having mild galactorrhea right as my period would end. Same thing this time! That's not normal and has only started happening the last 2 yrs! He snapped he wasn't a gynecologist, yet he was the one telling me I was a stroke waiting to happen only 6 wks ago! I was just wanting some medical advice!

It sounds like something wrong in my pituitary gland to me but I'm just paranoid I guess. He wrote me a RX for Celebrex and again told me MRI was normal but I did stop at imaging center and request my results. He also wrote me a prescription for 600 mg of neurontin tid. Why if everything is normal? It is insulting!

I do go to MS clinic in Charlotte,NC in December. Made that appt weeks ago, I am still hoping for the best.

I looked at all my labwork and was checking to see if ANYTHING was abnormal, since that's all I have to keep me sane. Anyone have any thoughts on Eo % 0.5 L and Baso % 1.2 H and CRP was 6.0 L Everything else fell in the ranges provided.

[Quixotic1]

Well, the rheum guy is certainly not interested nor even civil if it is not in "his" area of interest, I'm sorry to say.  So he did a test and didn't do what was needed.  What a waste of time and money!  You need to be evaluated for the galactorrhea.  So you have got to see an endocrinologist.  A gyn could do it, but as soon as you consider a pituitary problem (the prolactin which stimulates breast meilk is made by the pituitary gland - for everybody else) you should see someone in that field.  Yes, you may have a little prolactinoma.  Functional pituitary adenomas tend to grow VERY slowly - like a mm per year, but you have got to know what is causing this.  BTW - this will get you the MRI of the brain you need and you can alsways tell the endo that a doctor before (me) had been concerned about MS and would he do it with contrast.

So, see an Endo ASAP!!

The low Eosinophil and the very mildly increased basophil count are of zero importance unless they are SKY high.  There is no such thing as a CRP that is too low, so that's okay, too.  Some nitwit placed a "low" value in the computer program following a sheet that gave usual values.  We had a similar thing happen in Chicago.  The "usual" lead levels seen in children were 4 to something and 10 is the highest considered exceptable in a child, so they programmed the lab computer to flag as "too low" any lead level less than "4".  Uh...NONE is normal.  Lead is a toxin.  So, according to our lab printouts we had children with acute lead deficiency!  lol

I am thrilled you are seeing a real specialist in December.  Try to get in to see an Endocrinologist.  So what was the Neurontin for?

Quix

[nurse1973]

The leg aches I have been experiencing. Not pain just aches. Enought to warrant taking something but not enough that I would say it was PAIN. Been having those for a long time. Thanks for your expertise, as always very much appreciated!

Charlene

[Quixotic1]

An ache is a dull pain.  If it iterferes with your life or activities or you need to take something to get some relief then it is PAIN.  Do not belittle your complaints.  They are yours to have and to cherish and to make sure the doc understands!  All pain diminishes our lives.  Quix

[CtResident]

bump