Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
What Can Be Done About Mild Narrowing Of The Cervical Spinal Canal As Shown In A Cervical Spine MRI?
Question: MRI says: "C5-6 and C6-7 have prominent degenerative annular bulging narrowing the AP dimension of the spinal canal to 10mm at C5-6 and 9mm at C6-7". What can be done, how bad does this sound, and what is normal AP dimensions at these levels?
Brief Answer:
MRI shows what is considered to be mild narrowing of the Cervical Canal
Detailed Answer:
Good afternoon.
The MRI of the cervical spine demonstrates what is best interpreted as MILD narrowing of the cervical spinal canal through which the spinal cord runs and gives branches off to the Neck, shoulder, arms, and some branches to the head, etc.
If you were my patient and you had symptoms as you've described with an MRI read as 10mm. spinal canal stenosis...even though it certainly seems likely that this is the root of your pain problem I would still recommend that you undergo an EMG/NCV test just to see if those areas where there is bulging are actually being compromised electrically....BECAUSE, if the EMG is completely clean then, I may not race right into surgery without first trying CONSERVATIVE measures such as physical therapy, aquatherapy, thermal approaches to the neck, and even some medications (I'd avoid narcotics and other powerful pain medications unless warranted.
Normal AP levels of the cervical spinal canal at the lower level range from C5-C7 are considered to be 12-14mm. The canal at this level is considered STENOSED if the AP diameter is <10mm. It seems that your film is right on the cusp of being considered stenosed vs. not....
The upper cervical spine is considered to be narrowed (stenosed) from 10-13 mm.
Take care.
MRI shows what is considered to be mild narrowing of the Cervical Canal
Detailed Answer:
Good afternoon.
The MRI of the cervical spine demonstrates what is best interpreted as MILD narrowing of the cervical spinal canal through which the spinal cord runs and gives branches off to the Neck, shoulder, arms, and some branches to the head, etc.
If you were my patient and you had symptoms as you've described with an MRI read as 10mm. spinal canal stenosis...even though it certainly seems likely that this is the root of your pain problem I would still recommend that you undergo an EMG/NCV test just to see if those areas where there is bulging are actually being compromised electrically....BECAUSE, if the EMG is completely clean then, I may not race right into surgery without first trying CONSERVATIVE measures such as physical therapy, aquatherapy, thermal approaches to the neck, and even some medications (I'd avoid narcotics and other powerful pain medications unless warranted.
Normal AP levels of the cervical spinal canal at the lower level range from C5-C7 are considered to be 12-14mm. The canal at this level is considered STENOSED if the AP diameter is <10mm. It seems that your film is right on the cusp of being considered stenosed vs. not....
The upper cervical spine is considered to be narrowed (stenosed) from 10-13 mm.
Take care.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
