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MRI Showed Small Disc Herniations Centrally At The L4-L5 Level. Surgery Needed?
Question: I have an MRI on disk, and want to know if it can be viewed online by a doctor? I also have the short write-up from the imaging center, and want to know if I would be a candidate for surgery. It reads:
L3-L4, Mild disk buldge see. No focal disc herniation.
L4-L5, there is circumferential disk buldge with central disc protrusion. There is arthritic change present involving facets. No canal stenosis.
L5-S1, there is central left paracentral disc protrusion. There is narrowing of the left lateral recess and the origin of the left-sided neural foramen. No canal stenosis. Paraspinal soft tissues are intact.
Impressions: Small disc herniations are seen centrally at the L4-L5 level toward the left at the L5-S1 level.
L3-L4, Mild disk buldge see. No focal disc herniation.
L4-L5, there is circumferential disk buldge with central disc protrusion. There is arthritic change present involving facets. No canal stenosis.
L5-S1, there is central left paracentral disc protrusion. There is narrowing of the left lateral recess and the origin of the left-sided neural foramen. No canal stenosis. Paraspinal soft tissues are intact.
Impressions: Small disc herniations are seen centrally at the L4-L5 level toward the left at the L5-S1 level.
Hi,
The scans can be uploaded online or the relevant images copied and sent across to me. However, I dont know how you can get it done!
Briefly, from the report you have uploaded, I can say that at the L3/4 and L4/5 levels there is only disc bulges reported, which means that there is a minimal bulging out of the intervertebral disc material, but it is not compressing the nerves as yet. However, at the lower level, there is a "protrusion" - which is more than a "bulge" and it is causing a narrowing of the space through which the nerve root gets out. Therefore, if the patient has a left sided sciatica and the images confirm what is in the report, surgery certainly is an option. The other options are- continue with painkillers or to try a nerve root block. The choice between the 3 options depends on the patient's symptoms, clinical findings and the MRI findings and finally the patient's preference.
Hope this helps.
The scans can be uploaded online or the relevant images copied and sent across to me. However, I dont know how you can get it done!
Briefly, from the report you have uploaded, I can say that at the L3/4 and L4/5 levels there is only disc bulges reported, which means that there is a minimal bulging out of the intervertebral disc material, but it is not compressing the nerves as yet. However, at the lower level, there is a "protrusion" - which is more than a "bulge" and it is causing a narrowing of the space through which the nerve root gets out. Therefore, if the patient has a left sided sciatica and the images confirm what is in the report, surgery certainly is an option. The other options are- continue with painkillers or to try a nerve root block. The choice between the 3 options depends on the patient's symptoms, clinical findings and the MRI findings and finally the patient's preference.
Hope this helps.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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