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MRI Findings Of Cervical Spine Shows Small Central Disc Protrusion At C4 And C5 And Minimal Effacement Of Thecal Sac Margin. Meaning?
Question: MRI OF THE CERVICAL SPINE WITHOUT CONTRAST, 7/9/2013 11:50 AM
CLINICAL INDICATION: Neck pain
TECHNIQUE: T1 and T2 sagittal. Axial T2 and 2-D merge.
COMPARISON: none
FINDINGS:
The cervical medullary junction and the cervical spinal cord are unremarkable.
The visualized posterior fossa unremarkable. The cervical lordotic curvature is
maintained. The visualized spinal canal is widely patent. No intramedullary
signal abnormality of the cervical cord nor is there extrinsic compression.
Intervertebral disc spaces are maintained. The vertebral body morphology is
normal. There is no bone marrow infiltrative process.
Analysis of the axial images as follows.
At the C2-C3, a small central disc protrusion is demonstrated 5 mm transverse x2
mm AP, series 7 image 4. There is minimal focal effacement of the anterior
thecal sac margin. No contact of the cervical spinal cord. Neural foramina are
patent.
At C3-C4, normal.
At C4-C5, a small central disc protrusion is evident, 8 mm transverse x2 mm AP.
There is minimal effacement of the anterior thecal sac margin. No contact of the
cord margin. No foraminal stenosis.
At C5-C6, C6-C7, and C7-T1, normal.
CLINICAL INDICATION: Neck pain
TECHNIQUE: T1 and T2 sagittal. Axial T2 and 2-D merge.
COMPARISON: none
FINDINGS:
The cervical medullary junction and the cervical spinal cord are unremarkable.
The visualized posterior fossa unremarkable. The cervical lordotic curvature is
maintained. The visualized spinal canal is widely patent. No intramedullary
signal abnormality of the cervical cord nor is there extrinsic compression.
Intervertebral disc spaces are maintained. The vertebral body morphology is
normal. There is no bone marrow infiltrative process.
Analysis of the axial images as follows.
At the C2-C3, a small central disc protrusion is demonstrated 5 mm transverse x2
mm AP, series 7 image 4. There is minimal focal effacement of the anterior
thecal sac margin. No contact of the cervical spinal cord. Neural foramina are
patent.
At C3-C4, normal.
At C4-C5, a small central disc protrusion is evident, 8 mm transverse x2 mm AP.
There is minimal effacement of the anterior thecal sac margin. No contact of the
cord margin. No foraminal stenosis.
At C5-C6, C6-C7, and C7-T1, normal.
Hi,
Thank you for posting your query. I have gone through the reports of MRI cervical spine.
First of all, I would like to reassure you that the MRI reports do not suggest any serious neurological problem.
The report is suggestive of mild disc bulges in the cervical (neck) region, which is putting mild pressure on the neck nerves, that travel to arm and hands.
This may result in neck pain and arm pain, tingling, numbness, weakness of arms, hands, etc.
Treatment depends on the symptoms. However, it is clear that surgery is not needed in your case. Physiotherapy would be useful.
I hope it helps. Please get back if you have any more queries.
Best wishes,
Dr Sudhir Kumar MD DM (Neurology) XXXXXXX Consultant Neurologist
Thank you for posting your query. I have gone through the reports of MRI cervical spine.
First of all, I would like to reassure you that the MRI reports do not suggest any serious neurological problem.
The report is suggestive of mild disc bulges in the cervical (neck) region, which is putting mild pressure on the neck nerves, that travel to arm and hands.
This may result in neck pain and arm pain, tingling, numbness, weakness of arms, hands, etc.
Treatment depends on the symptoms. However, it is clear that surgery is not needed in your case. Physiotherapy would be useful.
I hope it helps. Please get back if you have any more queries.
Best wishes,
Dr Sudhir Kumar MD DM (Neurology) XXXXXXX Consultant Neurologist
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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