Cat scan on neck

[MissMalia]

I cannot read this cat scan report and my doctor is still out on vacation; please help.. There is concern for me..
Thank you very much.. Malia

CT CERVICAL SPINE WITHOUT CONTRAST, 06/28/12 09:23:00

HISTORY: Radicular pain. History of rotator cuff tendinopathy and
partial tears of the supraspinatus, infraspinatus, and subscapularis
as seen by MRI 06/20/12.

COMPARISON: None

TECHNIQUE: Axial CT images of the cervical spine from skull base to
thoracic inlet were obtained without contrast. Supplemental 2D
reformatted images were generated and reviewed as needed.

FINDINGS:

There is straightening of the cervical lordosis. Mild
intervertebral disk height loss and small endplate osteophyte
formation is seen and C5-6 and C6-7. A circumscribed sclerotic lesion
in the C2 posterior arch likely represents a bone island.

C2-3: Normal
C3-4: An uncovertebral osteophyte causes mild right foraminal
narrowing.
C4-5: An uncovertebral osteophyte causes mild bilateral foraminal
narrowing.
C5-6: An uncovertebral osteophyte and facet hypertrophy cause mild
left greater than right foraminal stenosis.
C6-7: An uncovertebral osteophyte causes moderate right foraminal
narrowing.
C7-T1: Mild facet arthropathy without foraminal narrowing.
Additional comments: The thyroid is heterogeneous with punctate
hyperdensities, hyperdense regions, and areas of hypoattenuation.

IMPRESSION:

Straightening of the cervical lordosis with mild multilevel
degenerative disk disease most prominent at C5-6 and C6-7. Multilevel
foraminal narrowing, most marked at C5-6 and C6-7. MRI has increased
sensitivity for neural foraminal stenosis.

Heterogeneous thyroid with punctate calcifications. If there is
clinical concern, ultrasound assessment may be helpful.

Attending Radiologists: Vaishali Phalke, M.D.
Author: Zachariah Kramer, M.D.

I have personally viewed this procedure/exam, reviewed this report,
and made changes to it where appropriate.


Final/Electronically signed / Vaishali Phalke 06/28/2012 17:41 PM
Pending final approval / Zachariah Kramer 06/28/2012 17:13 PM
Preliminary / Zachariah Kramer 06/28/2012 16:05 PM

[Totie]

To me the radiologist suggests more testing necessary of the thyroid if you are having symptoms.

[divageezer]

You are paying the doc to explain these reports to you, make him do it. Call and call and call, if no answer call the clinic manager and demand that he gets back to you. Your primary care doc may not understand either so the radiologist has the responsibility (he getting lots of money for this) to be clear.

[Red_Star]

Straightening of the cervical lordosis is a straight neck which is also called military neck or cervical kyphosis. If this curvature loss is significant you may experience neck pain/stiffness, shoulder pain and headaches. A traction neck pillow can help with neck pain.  

Degenerative disc disease (DDD) is not really a disease but this term is used to describe the changes in your spinal discs as you age. The symptoms of DDD vary from person to person and there may be no symptoms at all.  With cervical DDD, symptoms may include neck pain or stiffness, numbness, tingling or weakness in the neck, arms and/or shoulders.

An heterogeneous thyroid gland is uneven in texture. Hypoattenuation is less than normal blood flow is decreased. Punctate hyperdensity is due to calcification. An ultrasound can show up more information.