Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
What Do These MRI Findings Indicate?
Question: Dear Doctor, My mother's age is 46 and her MRI(cervical and whole spine) reports say- loss of cervical lordosis, early disc dissection noted at all cervical disc levels, E/O diffuse disc bulge with posterior central disc protrusion causing anterior thecal indentation at C4/5 level. E/O diffuse bulge with paracentral disc protrusion causing anterior thecal indentation and mild neural foramina narrowing on right side noted at C5/6 level. Screening of lumbar spine reveal disc desiccation noted at L3/4, 4/5, 5/s1 levels. Is there anything to worry about. Please kindly suggest what to do further.
Brief Answer:
There are degenerative disc changes in neck spine and not a serious problem
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX XXXXXXX
Thanks for writing in to us.
I have read through your query in detail.
Please find my observations below.
1. I report MRI scans of brain and spine regularly and have read through the reports attached.
2. In the brain there are small areas of deficient blood supply and this is probably due to any condition like diabetes, high blood pressure or from advancing age. However your mother is 48 years and there is only one such area. This is not a serious problem but any symptoms of the brain need to be evaluated and discussed with the neurologist.
3. The neck spine is showing degenerative disc changes at C 4 C 5 and C 5 C 6 level. There are spongy discs between bones of the spine and at two levels in the neck the discs are causing pressure on nerves. It can still be considered mild changes and she should avoid heavy physical activity, lifting more than 3 kg weight and turning neck suddenly.
4. The disc dessication at L 3 L 4, L 4 L 5 and L 5 S 1 levels is a sign of reduced water in the discs of the lower back spine. This is not a problem.
5. Your mother is probably having neck pain going to the hands which is more on the right side. She should avoid heavy physical activity, lifting more than 3 kg weight and turning neck suddenly. If severe pain and tingling numbness is there then she should discuss in detail with doctor. In beginning treatment is with pain reliever medicine and ointments with physiotherapy and rest.
Hope your query is answered.
Please write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
There are degenerative disc changes in neck spine and not a serious problem
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX XXXXXXX
Thanks for writing in to us.
I have read through your query in detail.
Please find my observations below.
1. I report MRI scans of brain and spine regularly and have read through the reports attached.
2. In the brain there are small areas of deficient blood supply and this is probably due to any condition like diabetes, high blood pressure or from advancing age. However your mother is 48 years and there is only one such area. This is not a serious problem but any symptoms of the brain need to be evaluated and discussed with the neurologist.
3. The neck spine is showing degenerative disc changes at C 4 C 5 and C 5 C 6 level. There are spongy discs between bones of the spine and at two levels in the neck the discs are causing pressure on nerves. It can still be considered mild changes and she should avoid heavy physical activity, lifting more than 3 kg weight and turning neck suddenly.
4. The disc dessication at L 3 L 4, L 4 L 5 and L 5 S 1 levels is a sign of reduced water in the discs of the lower back spine. This is not a problem.
5. Your mother is probably having neck pain going to the hands which is more on the right side. She should avoid heavy physical activity, lifting more than 3 kg weight and turning neck suddenly. If severe pain and tingling numbness is there then she should discuss in detail with doctor. In beginning treatment is with pain reliever medicine and ointments with physiotherapy and rest.
Hope your query is answered.
Please write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Dear Doctor,
Thanks for the review on the reports. But I have some doubts-
1) U said there is deficient blood supply in certain region of brain, why is this happening. Is there any blokage or clot over there? Is this condition not lethal? Because, if there is lack of blood supply, there will be no supply of O2 and other nutrients, which may subject the cell to ischemic stroke. How can we take care of such condition. pLEASE SUGGEST.
2) How can we revert the condition of loss of lordosis? physiotherapy alone is sufficient or anything else can be done?
3)Why is there reduced water in certain discs of lower back spine. What can we do to restore normal condition. I mean any change in food habits or so?
Thanks for the review on the reports. But I have some doubts-
1) U said there is deficient blood supply in certain region of brain, why is this happening. Is there any blokage or clot over there? Is this condition not lethal? Because, if there is lack of blood supply, there will be no supply of O2 and other nutrients, which may subject the cell to ischemic stroke. How can we take care of such condition. pLEASE SUGGEST.
2) How can we revert the condition of loss of lordosis? physiotherapy alone is sufficient or anything else can be done?
3)Why is there reduced water in certain discs of lower back spine. What can we do to restore normal condition. I mean any change in food habits or so?
Brief Answer:
Please do a carotid and vertebral artery Doppler scan if she has dizziness
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX XXXXXXX
Thanks for writing back with an update.
1. The small lacunar infarct is from an area of deficient blood supply which might have occurred months or years back. People with high blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol have these changes earlier. This is a rare possibility of a small block or clot which may have caused this change. It is not a serious finding but if she is having symptoms like dizziness, and headache then a carotid and vertebral artery Doppler scan is suggested and any stroke can be prevented.
2. The loss of cervical lordosis is alteration in the curvature of the neck spine probably from neck muscle spasm and cervical spine degenerative changes. Usually applying pain reliever and muscle relaxant ointments, rest and physiotherapy are the first methods of treatment. If it does not improve then mild pain relievers is given orally and if severe pain is there then neurogenic pain reliever is given. In cases where surgery can provide relief then it is done.
3. Reduced water in discs of lumbar spine is a degenerative process and common. This does not require any treatment.
Hope your query is answered.
Please write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Please do a carotid and vertebral artery Doppler scan if she has dizziness
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX XXXXXXX
Thanks for writing back with an update.
1. The small lacunar infarct is from an area of deficient blood supply which might have occurred months or years back. People with high blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol have these changes earlier. This is a rare possibility of a small block or clot which may have caused this change. It is not a serious finding but if she is having symptoms like dizziness, and headache then a carotid and vertebral artery Doppler scan is suggested and any stroke can be prevented.
2. The loss of cervical lordosis is alteration in the curvature of the neck spine probably from neck muscle spasm and cervical spine degenerative changes. Usually applying pain reliever and muscle relaxant ointments, rest and physiotherapy are the first methods of treatment. If it does not improve then mild pain relievers is given orally and if severe pain is there then neurogenic pain reliever is given. In cases where surgery can provide relief then it is done.
3. Reduced water in discs of lumbar spine is a degenerative process and common. This does not require any treatment.
Hope your query is answered.
Please write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
