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What Do These MRI Findings Indicate?
Question: These are my recent MRI results. I have had unsuccessful PT with increase in pain following 4 visits. I have pain in my Left shoulder, between my shoulder blades, numbness in my left hand involving all fingers. Pain in my left arm. I also have history of dysphagia and abnormal swallowing. Oh, almost forgot my headaches and recent hearing loss. Here are the results.
Reversal of the normal cervical lordosis at C5-6 and C6-7, but there is moderate interspace narrowing and endplate degenerative changes. New Schmorl's node superior endplate of C-7. Vertebral bodies and interspaces are other wise well maintained.
C6-7: Osteophyte disc complex completely effaces anterior subarachnoid space and contributes to narrowing of both lateral neural foramen
C5-6 Osteophyte disc complex completely effaces anterior subarachnoid space and causes slight deformity underlying cervical spinal cord and contributes to narrowing of both lateral neural foramen
C4-5: Slight Broad based dis bulge
C3-4 Normal
C2-3 Normal
Am I looking at surgery, and what kind would it be?
Reversal of the normal cervical lordosis at C5-6 and C6-7, but there is moderate interspace narrowing and endplate degenerative changes. New Schmorl's node superior endplate of C-7. Vertebral bodies and interspaces are other wise well maintained.
C6-7: Osteophyte disc complex completely effaces anterior subarachnoid space and contributes to narrowing of both lateral neural foramen
C5-6 Osteophyte disc complex completely effaces anterior subarachnoid space and causes slight deformity underlying cervical spinal cord and contributes to narrowing of both lateral neural foramen
C4-5: Slight Broad based dis bulge
C3-4 Normal
C2-3 Normal
Am I looking at surgery, and what kind would it be?
Brief Answer:
Yes, you may require surgery.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for posting your query.
I am Dr Sudhir Kumar, Neurologist, and would try my best to help you.
I have noted your symptoms and MRI cervical spine findings. This shows pinching and compression of nerves at C5-6 and C6-7 levels. About 70% people get better with physiotherapy (PT), the remaining 30% fail PT and need surgery.
If the pain has persisted despite the best medical treatment and PT for one month, surgery may be an option. It would be a spine surgery, lasting 1-2 hours. This involves discectomy (removal of bulged disc) and laminectomy (removing part of vertebral body) to increase the space for nerves. The surgery is safe and effective.
Abnormal swallowing, dysphagia, hearing loss and headache require further evaluation, as they can not be explained on the basis of MRI cervical spine abnormalities. MRI brain should also be done.
I hope my answer helps. Please get back if you have any follow up queries or if you require any additional information.
Wishing you good health,
Dr Sudhir Kumar MD (Internal Medicine), DM (Neurology) XXXXXXX Consultant Neurologist
Apollo Hospitals, XXXXXXX XXXXXXX
Click on this link to ask me a DIRECT QUERY: http://bit.ly/Dr-Sudhir-kumar
My BLOG: http://bestneurodoctor.blogspot.in
Yes, you may require surgery.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for posting your query.
I am Dr Sudhir Kumar, Neurologist, and would try my best to help you.
I have noted your symptoms and MRI cervical spine findings. This shows pinching and compression of nerves at C5-6 and C6-7 levels. About 70% people get better with physiotherapy (PT), the remaining 30% fail PT and need surgery.
If the pain has persisted despite the best medical treatment and PT for one month, surgery may be an option. It would be a spine surgery, lasting 1-2 hours. This involves discectomy (removal of bulged disc) and laminectomy (removing part of vertebral body) to increase the space for nerves. The surgery is safe and effective.
Abnormal swallowing, dysphagia, hearing loss and headache require further evaluation, as they can not be explained on the basis of MRI cervical spine abnormalities. MRI brain should also be done.
I hope my answer helps. Please get back if you have any follow up queries or if you require any additional information.
Wishing you good health,
Dr Sudhir Kumar MD (Internal Medicine), DM (Neurology) XXXXXXX Consultant Neurologist
Apollo Hospitals, XXXXXXX XXXXXXX
Click on this link to ask me a DIRECT QUERY: http://bit.ly/Dr-Sudhir-kumar
My BLOG: http://bestneurodoctor.blogspot.in
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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