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What Causes Extreme Pain During An MRI?
Question: Good day, I have had an MRI in 2007, 2009 and 2014. This is what the prognosis were. Is it normal to be in extreme pain with a so called MRI?
I have radiating spinal pain and pressure, headache on the right side, numbness, tingling and radiating pains in all limbs, right shoulder pain, I could barely walk for 2 straight days. Here are the results. Do these conditions just disappear, cure or heal? I am confused as to why I have so much pain with these results on my recent MRI. It took about 45 minutes from head to lumbar.
Sept 7, 2007
Seven cervical vertebrae are demonstrated and are in good alignment. The vertebral bodies are normal in height. The disc spaces are within normal limits. The marrow pattern is also normal.
C2/C3: There is a small left posterior lateral subligamentous herniation of the nucleus pulposus. Mild left foraminal narrowing.
C3/C4: Minimal left foraminal narrowing, no central stenosis.
C4/C5 : Minimal left foraminal stenosis, the central canal diameter is normal
C5/C6 : Mild left foraminal stenosis , the central canal diameter is normal.
C6/C7: Moderate left foraminal stenosis, secondary to a left posterior and subligamentous herniation of the nucleus pulposus. The central canal diameter is normal.
There is moderate left C6/C7 foraminal stenosis secondary to subligamentous herniation of the nucleus pulposus at this level.
2. Please also note the above description and levels of other associated abnormalities.
MRI of the cervical spine dated 4/2/9.
Comparison: 9/7/7. Plain film:11/20/7.
Study was performed without IV contrast in standard sagittal and axial planes.
Findings:
Foramen Magnum: No abnormalities
C1/2, sagittal imaging only: No abnormalities
C2/3: No abnormalities
C3/4: Minimal left foraminal narrowing from uncovertebral spurring
C4/5: Minimal left foraminal narrowing from uncovertebral disease
C5/6: Minimal left foraminal narrowing from uncovertebral disease C6/7: Mild left foraminal narrowing from uncovertebral disease
C7/T1: Minimal narrowing left neural foramen from uncovertebral disease
Impression:
No significant disc protrusion or stenosis. Findings are
stable compared with the last exam with some minimal/mild left neural foramen narrowings from uncovertebral disease.
Primary Diagnostic Code: MINOR ABNORMALITY
MRI of the cervical spine without contrast:
Comparison: X-ray-Cervical spine series 10/20/2014
Technique: Sagittal T1 and T2 weighted and axial T1 and T2 weighted images were obtained of the cervical spine.
Findings: Sagittal images demonstrate normal bony alignment and preservation of vertebral body height and disc height. Cord
signal intensity is normal. Visualized intracranial contents are within normal limits. Paravertebral soft tissues are within
normal limits.
The following levels were interrogated:
C2-C3: No significant disc disease. No significant spinal canal narrowing or neuroforaminal narrowing.
C3-C4: No significant disc disease. No significant spinal canal narrowing or neuroforaminal narrowing.
C4-C5: No significant disc disease. No significant spinal canal
Impression:
Normal MRI of the cervical spine.
I have radiating spinal pain and pressure, headache on the right side, numbness, tingling and radiating pains in all limbs, right shoulder pain, I could barely walk for 2 straight days. Here are the results. Do these conditions just disappear, cure or heal? I am confused as to why I have so much pain with these results on my recent MRI. It took about 45 minutes from head to lumbar.
Sept 7, 2007
Seven cervical vertebrae are demonstrated and are in good alignment. The vertebral bodies are normal in height. The disc spaces are within normal limits. The marrow pattern is also normal.
C2/C3: There is a small left posterior lateral subligamentous herniation of the nucleus pulposus. Mild left foraminal narrowing.
C3/C4: Minimal left foraminal narrowing, no central stenosis.
C4/C5 : Minimal left foraminal stenosis, the central canal diameter is normal
C5/C6 : Mild left foraminal stenosis , the central canal diameter is normal.
C6/C7: Moderate left foraminal stenosis, secondary to a left posterior and subligamentous herniation of the nucleus pulposus. The central canal diameter is normal.
There is moderate left C6/C7 foraminal stenosis secondary to subligamentous herniation of the nucleus pulposus at this level.
2. Please also note the above description and levels of other associated abnormalities.
MRI of the cervical spine dated 4/2/9.
Comparison: 9/7/7. Plain film:11/20/7.
Study was performed without IV contrast in standard sagittal and axial planes.
Findings:
Foramen Magnum: No abnormalities
C1/2, sagittal imaging only: No abnormalities
C2/3: No abnormalities
C3/4: Minimal left foraminal narrowing from uncovertebral spurring
C4/5: Minimal left foraminal narrowing from uncovertebral disease
C5/6: Minimal left foraminal narrowing from uncovertebral disease C6/7: Mild left foraminal narrowing from uncovertebral disease
C7/T1: Minimal narrowing left neural foramen from uncovertebral disease
Impression:
No significant disc protrusion or stenosis. Findings are
stable compared with the last exam with some minimal/mild left neural foramen narrowings from uncovertebral disease.
Primary Diagnostic Code: MINOR ABNORMALITY
MRI of the cervical spine without contrast:
Comparison: X-ray-Cervical spine series 10/20/2014
Technique: Sagittal T1 and T2 weighted and axial T1 and T2 weighted images were obtained of the cervical spine.
Findings: Sagittal images demonstrate normal bony alignment and preservation of vertebral body height and disc height. Cord
signal intensity is normal. Visualized intracranial contents are within normal limits. Paravertebral soft tissues are within
normal limits.
The following levels were interrogated:
C2-C3: No significant disc disease. No significant spinal canal narrowing or neuroforaminal narrowing.
C3-C4: No significant disc disease. No significant spinal canal narrowing or neuroforaminal narrowing.
C4-C5: No significant disc disease. No significant spinal canal
Impression:
Normal MRI of the cervical spine.
Brief Answer:
You need further clinical and imaging evaluation
Detailed Answer:
Hi, I had gone through your question and understand your concerns. Headache is not related to spinal disease and needs careful clinical examination. The MRI findings you describe could not heal spontaneously, especially if you continue in pain. In my opinion, MRI should not be used as the only examination to determine your diagnosis and treatment options. I suggest you to consult a Neurologist and to discus the possibility of a careful clinical evaluation and further testing. You need plain radiographs of your cervical column in neutral, flexed and extended position to check for/ rule out instability. You need ENMG of your extremities to evaluate any radicular ( nerve) suffering and the degree of nerve damage. I believe that after careful complete examination of your condition, treatment options should be clear. Hope this answers your question. If you have additional questions or follow up questions then please do not hesitate in writing to us. I will be happy to answer your questions.
You need further clinical and imaging evaluation
Detailed Answer:
Hi, I had gone through your question and understand your concerns. Headache is not related to spinal disease and needs careful clinical examination. The MRI findings you describe could not heal spontaneously, especially if you continue in pain. In my opinion, MRI should not be used as the only examination to determine your diagnosis and treatment options. I suggest you to consult a Neurologist and to discus the possibility of a careful clinical evaluation and further testing. You need plain radiographs of your cervical column in neutral, flexed and extended position to check for/ rule out instability. You need ENMG of your extremities to evaluate any radicular ( nerve) suffering and the degree of nerve damage. I believe that after careful complete examination of your condition, treatment options should be clear. Hope this answers your question. If you have additional questions or follow up questions then please do not hesitate in writing to us. I will be happy to answer your questions.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Thank you, will do. Is it something that is curable? Or is it destined to get worse? I had an EMG by a Physical therapist that they sent me to and they said it was normal. They did my hands and arms. Also would these blood test have anything to do with a spinal condition?
PYRIDOXINE
127.7 High
ng/mL (2.1-21.7)
COBALAMINS 939.0 High pg/mL (211-911)
PYRIDOXINE
127.7 High
ng/mL (2.1-21.7)
COBALAMINS 939.0 High pg/mL (211-911)
Brief Answer:
Did you take vitamin B supplements?
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks for asking again. Symptoms you describe, are more likely related to high Pyridoxine ( B6) levels. High Vitamin B6 levels may cause peripheral neuropathy and symptoms similar to yours. The symptoms may subside after normalizing of B6 level. If used any vitamin supplement you should stop it. If not you to modificate your diet with foods low in B6 content. Also you should measure your vitamin D level and electrolytes. Hope this helps. If you have further questions, I'll be happy to answer.
Did you take vitamin B supplements?
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks for asking again. Symptoms you describe, are more likely related to high Pyridoxine ( B6) levels. High Vitamin B6 levels may cause peripheral neuropathy and symptoms similar to yours. The symptoms may subside after normalizing of B6 level. If used any vitamin supplement you should stop it. If not you to modificate your diet with foods low in B6 content. Also you should measure your vitamin D level and electrolytes. Hope this helps. If you have further questions, I'll be happy to answer.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
No, I only take a multivitamin occasionally. No B complex or anything. Also I have pains in my thoracic and lumbar spine, chest pains, dizziness (spinning) and nausea. I use to work out regularly until this issue started to break me down. Here is my other MRI. Also is this cervical issue curable or does it heal?
MRI of lumbosacral spine without contrast:
Comparison: None
Technique: Sagittal T1 and T2 weighted and axial T1 and T2 weighted images were obtained of lumbosacral spine.
Findings: Sagittal images demonstrate normal bony alignment and preservation of vertebral body height and disc height. The conus ends at L1-L2. Paravertebral soft tissues are within normal
limits.
The following levels were interrogated:
L2-L3: No significant disc disease. No significant spinal canal narrowing or neuroforaminal narrowing.
L3-L4: No significant disc disease. No significant spinal canal narrowing or neuroforaminal narrowing.
L4-L5: No significant disc disease. No significant spinal canal narrowing or neuroforaminal narrowing.
L5-S1: No significant disc disease. No significant spinal canal narrowing or neuroforaminal narrowing.
Impression:
Normal MRI of lumbosacral spine.
MRI of lumbosacral spine without contrast:
Comparison: None
Technique: Sagittal T1 and T2 weighted and axial T1 and T2 weighted images were obtained of lumbosacral spine.
Findings: Sagittal images demonstrate normal bony alignment and preservation of vertebral body height and disc height. The conus ends at L1-L2. Paravertebral soft tissues are within normal
limits.
The following levels were interrogated:
L2-L3: No significant disc disease. No significant spinal canal narrowing or neuroforaminal narrowing.
L3-L4: No significant disc disease. No significant spinal canal narrowing or neuroforaminal narrowing.
L4-L5: No significant disc disease. No significant spinal canal narrowing or neuroforaminal narrowing.
L5-S1: No significant disc disease. No significant spinal canal narrowing or neuroforaminal narrowing.
Impression:
Normal MRI of lumbosacral spine.
Brief Answer:
Cause of your symptoms is high blood Pyridoxine.
Detailed Answer:
Hi again. I read carefully your MRI lumbar results and agree with Radiologyst interpretation of normal MRI findings. Again I think the cause of your symptoms is high pyridoxine level that causes neuropathy. So I suggest you to consult your primary care Doctor and discuss further testing of your high pyridoxine level. Hope this helps. If you have further questions feel free to ask.
Cause of your symptoms is high blood Pyridoxine.
Detailed Answer:
Hi again. I read carefully your MRI lumbar results and agree with Radiologyst interpretation of normal MRI findings. Again I think the cause of your symptoms is high pyridoxine level that causes neuropathy. So I suggest you to consult your primary care Doctor and discuss further testing of your high pyridoxine level. Hope this helps. If you have further questions feel free to ask.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Answered by
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