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Assistance with MRI results of c-spine
A little backstory I was rear-ended in May of 2018 and ultimately ended up having to have two neck surgeries in August of 2018 one being anterior and one being posterior where they fused 3 levels. Well I had an MRI and the results are as follows, my concern is what are they stating that they are seeing.
MRI-RESULTS
There is 1 mm retroiisthesis of C3 and C4. The partially visualized cervical vertebra are generally normal in height and intrinsic bone marrow signal. There are postoperative ACDF changes at C4-5 C5-6 and C6-7 and partial resection of the posterior spinous processes from C4 to C7 and posterior spinal fixation with placement of a paired posterior fixation rods and bilateral lateral mass screws from C4 to C7 and facet spacers at C3-4, C4-5 and C5-6 bilaterally. Canal diameter is developmentally narrow. The craniocervical junction is normal and the cervical cord has no abnormal T2 hyperintensities or contrast enhancement. The cord is partially obscured by metallic artifact from the patient's spinal fixation hardware at C4 and C5. There is a small localized iow T1
signal 3 mm AP by 4.3 mm TX by 1.8 cm CC fluid collection in the left paramidline posterior paraspinous tissues at C6-C7. Enhancing granulation tissue is present in the medial posterior paraspinous muscles from C5 to T1.
C2-3: The intervertebral disc is normal.
C3-4: There is a mild posterior disc bulge and bilateral uncovertebral hypertrophy. There is ligamentum flavum hypertrophy and mild central canal stenosis. AP diameter of the thecai sac is 7.8 mm. There is no foraminal stenosis.
C4-5: There are postoperative anterior discectomy and interbody fusion and posterior spinal fusion fixation changes. There is no central canal stenosis or foraminal stenosis.
C5-6: There are postoperative anterior discectomy and interbody fusion and posterior spinal fusion fixation changes. There is no central canal stenosis or foraminal stenosis.
C6-7: There are postoperative anterior discectomy, interbody fusion and posterior spinal fusion fixation changes. There is no central canal stenosis or foraminal stenosis.
C7-T1: There is a minor dorsal spondyiotic disc bulge and minor left greater than right uncovertebral hypertrophy. There is no central canal stenosis or foraminal stenosis.
MRI-RESULTS
There is 1 mm retroiisthesis of C3 and C4. The partially visualized cervical vertebra are generally normal in height and intrinsic bone marrow signal. There are postoperative ACDF changes at C4-5 C5-6 and C6-7 and partial resection of the posterior spinous processes from C4 to C7 and posterior spinal fixation with placement of a paired posterior fixation rods and bilateral lateral mass screws from C4 to C7 and facet spacers at C3-4, C4-5 and C5-6 bilaterally. Canal diameter is developmentally narrow. The craniocervical junction is normal and the cervical cord has no abnormal T2 hyperintensities or contrast enhancement. The cord is partially obscured by metallic artifact from the patient's spinal fixation hardware at C4 and C5. There is a small localized iow T1
signal 3 mm AP by 4.3 mm TX by 1.8 cm CC fluid collection in the left paramidline posterior paraspinous tissues at C6-C7. Enhancing granulation tissue is present in the medial posterior paraspinous muscles from C5 to T1.
C2-3: The intervertebral disc is normal.
C3-4: There is a mild posterior disc bulge and bilateral uncovertebral hypertrophy. There is ligamentum flavum hypertrophy and mild central canal stenosis. AP diameter of the thecai sac is 7.8 mm. There is no foraminal stenosis.
C4-5: There are postoperative anterior discectomy and interbody fusion and posterior spinal fusion fixation changes. There is no central canal stenosis or foraminal stenosis.
C5-6: There are postoperative anterior discectomy and interbody fusion and posterior spinal fusion fixation changes. There is no central canal stenosis or foraminal stenosis.
C6-7: There are postoperative anterior discectomy, interbody fusion and posterior spinal fusion fixation changes. There is no central canal stenosis or foraminal stenosis.
C7-T1: There is a minor dorsal spondyiotic disc bulge and minor left greater than right uncovertebral hypertrophy. There is no central canal stenosis or foraminal stenosis.
As you know, we can't interpret your MRI for you. The results from your MRI without and with contrast should provide your surgeon with details he can clinically correlate on physical exam. Without clinical indications it is difficult to distinguish a diagnosis. Thus, a thorough neurological exam is key. Do you have a particular question other than a broad interpretation?
2 Comments
Yes what are they are seeing and quoting measurments of and where they mentioned the granulation tissue, those are things I've never saw before, trying to get an idea because my surgeon has retired
They are describing postoperative scar tissue formation, which may be asymptomatic or symptomatic. If the latter, symptoms may include recurrent radicular pain, muscle weakness, and/or paresthesia.
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