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Please help with MRI results
I have had back pain for around 20 years or so. I have had three MRIs in the past 6 years or so. I have switched doctors and insurance so have to start process all over again. I had an MRI done about 2 years ago and was never explained to me. Can someone help me?
Findings: The convention of 5 non-rib-bearing lumbar vertebral bodies is used for this study. There is no acute fracture. There is mild chronic anterior wedging of the T12 vertebral body, with approx. 10% loss of height anteriorly which may be congenital in nature.
The T12-L1, L1-L2, L2-L3 and L3-L4 levels are normal. Incidental note is made of Schmorl's nodes involving the superior endplates of L2 and L4.
L-4 - L5: There is a chronic nondisplaced left L4 pars interarticularis fracture. There is thickening of the cortex of the right L4 pars interarticularis but no fracture of the right L4 pars interarticularis . There is a 2mm grade 1 anterolisthesis of the L4 on L5, with uncovering of the disc posteriorly. No significant spinal canal stenosis or neural foraminal narrowing is noted. No nerve root impingement is identified. The AP dimension of the thecal sac measures 16mm. The facet joints are unremarkable.
L5-S1:There is a disc desiccation, mild loss of disc height and a 5-6mm broad central protrusion which has increased in size from 3-4 mm. However no nerve root impingement lateral recess stenosis, spinal canal stenosis, or neural foraminal narrowing is seen. The AP dimension of the spinal canal measures 13mm, previously measuring 15 mm on the prior MRI. There is increased epidural fat at this level. The facet joints are unremarkable.
Impression
1. Progressive degenerative disc disease at the L5-S1 level, where there is disc desiccation, mild loss of disc height, and a 5-6mm broad central protrusion, which previously measured 3-4mm.
2. Chronic left L4 pars defect and thickening of the cortex of the previously noted right L4 pars stress fracture and there is a 2mm grade 1 anterolisthesis of L4-L5.
Findings: The convention of 5 non-rib-bearing lumbar vertebral bodies is used for this study. There is no acute fracture. There is mild chronic anterior wedging of the T12 vertebral body, with approx. 10% loss of height anteriorly which may be congenital in nature.
The T12-L1, L1-L2, L2-L3 and L3-L4 levels are normal. Incidental note is made of Schmorl's nodes involving the superior endplates of L2 and L4.
L-4 - L5: There is a chronic nondisplaced left L4 pars interarticularis fracture. There is thickening of the cortex of the right L4 pars interarticularis but no fracture of the right L4 pars interarticularis . There is a 2mm grade 1 anterolisthesis of the L4 on L5, with uncovering of the disc posteriorly. No significant spinal canal stenosis or neural foraminal narrowing is noted. No nerve root impingement is identified. The AP dimension of the thecal sac measures 16mm. The facet joints are unremarkable.
L5-S1:There is a disc desiccation, mild loss of disc height and a 5-6mm broad central protrusion which has increased in size from 3-4 mm. However no nerve root impingement lateral recess stenosis, spinal canal stenosis, or neural foraminal narrowing is seen. The AP dimension of the spinal canal measures 13mm, previously measuring 15 mm on the prior MRI. There is increased epidural fat at this level. The facet joints are unremarkable.
Impression
1. Progressive degenerative disc disease at the L5-S1 level, where there is disc desiccation, mild loss of disc height, and a 5-6mm broad central protrusion, which previously measured 3-4mm.
2. Chronic left L4 pars defect and thickening of the cortex of the previously noted right L4 pars stress fracture and there is a 2mm grade 1 anterolisthesis of L4-L5.
Yes, it could very well be part of the L4-S1 problems.
Don't forget to mention it to your spine doctor.
Don't forget to mention it to your spine doctor.
I had to reschedule appt. until next week but have another question for you guys. I have been having problems with my right ankle. I have barely been able to put weight on it. There is a sharp pain in it. Almost as if someone was grabbing it from the back. Sorry its kind of hard to explain. Do you think this is related to my back or something else?
Thank you. I have an appt. the 22nd with my primary doctor to get everything going again. I had weight loss surgery to try and help but after losing 60lbs in 3 months the pain and immobility have come back with a vengeance.
You have degenerative disc disease at the lowest level of your spine -- L5-S1 that is progressively putting more pressure on your spinal cord, due to a pars (bone) defect. This pressure is called spinal stenosis and can be painful and dangerous, depending on the amount of pressure applied to the cord.
In addition, the vertebrae above this level -- L4, is slipping backwards over L5 by 2 mm.
Due to the stenosis and because of the instability at levels L4-L5, you'll need a surgical consult and another MRI. Surgical decompression of the cord, and stabilization of the L4 vertebrae may be required. Your surgeon will know more after an examination, and comparing your old and new MRI results.
In addition, the vertebrae above this level -- L4, is slipping backwards over L5 by 2 mm.
Due to the stenosis and because of the instability at levels L4-L5, you'll need a surgical consult and another MRI. Surgical decompression of the cord, and stabilization of the L4 vertebrae may be required. Your surgeon will know more after an examination, and comparing your old and new MRI results.
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