Suggest Treatment For Severe Lower Back Pain

Posted on Thu, 6 Nov 2014

Question: hello: I'm considering getting an L spine MRI. I want to know if I should get an MRI with contrast? Normally I don't think its necessary but my case is unusual. I broke my back (L2 , L3 compression fracture) in a auto accident over 40 yrs ago. I'm just now starting to get severe pain in my lower back and down my legs with some numbness and tingling in the right leg. I wonder if contrast is helpful to see what if any stenosis, bulging disk, bone spurs or arthritis may be pressing on or pinching my spinal cord and its nerve roots?

Answered by Dr. Vivek Chail (21 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
No need of contrast unless after preliminary scan

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for writing in to us.

I have read through your query in detail.
Being a radiologist I see many MRI scans each day. There is no need to give contrast with the history mentioned by you. A plain MRI on a machine with magnetic strength 1.5T or 3T will give detailed information on nerve root pinching and related disc pathology.

Should contrast be still required to highlight any suspicious pathology then you will be guided by the technical staff while undergoing the scan.

Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have doubts.

Regards,
Dr.Vivek

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar