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What Does My MRI Scan Report Indicate?
Question: I want to know is my MRI saying conflicting thing
One one hand it said
Loss of t2 hyperintense signal is seen including all cervical disc suggestive of disc dessication.
On another hand it reads
-The intervertebral disc are normal in height and signal intensity.
-There is no herniation or foraminal narrowing (except c4-5 where there is a disc bulge causing foraminal protrusion of disc indenting subarchanoid space without compressing exiting nerve root)
So my question is does disc dessication equates to loss of intervertebral height?
One one hand it said
Loss of t2 hyperintense signal is seen including all cervical disc suggestive of disc dessication.
On another hand it reads
-The intervertebral disc are normal in height and signal intensity.
-There is no herniation or foraminal narrowing (except c4-5 where there is a disc bulge causing foraminal protrusion of disc indenting subarchanoid space without compressing exiting nerve root)
So my question is does disc dessication equates to loss of intervertebral height?
Brief Answer:
Discs desiccation doesn't mean necessarily loss of discs height.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thanks for using HCM.
I have read your question and understand your concerns.
Discs desiccation refers to loose of the fluids ( mainly water ) of the intervertebral discs related to degerative changes, but doesn't mean that there is loss of discs height too, especially in the first stages of this condition.
There is a contradiction only in description of the normal discs intensity, since before is stated that there is loss of hyperintense signal, however, it is necessary to provide the full MRI report.
Hope you found the answer helpful.
Take care.
Discs desiccation doesn't mean necessarily loss of discs height.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thanks for using HCM.
I have read your question and understand your concerns.
Discs desiccation refers to loose of the fluids ( mainly water ) of the intervertebral discs related to degerative changes, but doesn't mean that there is loss of discs height too, especially in the first stages of this condition.
There is a contradiction only in description of the normal discs intensity, since before is stated that there is loss of hyperintense signal, however, it is necessary to provide the full MRI report.
Hope you found the answer helpful.
Take care.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Dear Doctor
Thanks for your answer, I am writing my full report here
Service requested: MRI w/o contrast of cervical spine
Study reasons Neck Pain, left right arm numbness
Observations
Scoliosis with convexity to the left side
Loss of normal t2 hyperintense signal is seen involving all the cervical disc suggestive of disc dessication
C4-C5 disc reveals mild posterior disc bulge with left foraminal disc protrusion indenting anterior subarchanoid space without any exiting nerve root compression.
-The cervical vertebrae shows normal alignment and signal intensity
-The vertebral bodies are normal in height and signal intensity. The posterior elements are normal
-The intervertebral disc are normal in height and signal intensity
-There is no other disc herniation or foraminal narrowing
-The visualized spinal cord is normal in morphology and signal intensity
-There is no abnormal pre or paraspinal soft tissue
-The craniovertebral junction is normal
Conclusion MRI cervical spine reveals
Scoliosis with convexity to the left side
Loss of normal t2 hyperintense signal is seen involving all the cervical disc suggestive of disc dessication
Mild posterior disc bulge with left foraminal disc protrusion of C4-5 disc indenting anterior subarachnoid space without any nerve root compression.
Now i want to know how severe this MRI is and how much time do I have before I require a surgery. I am 30 years old now. My doctor told me I have a bulging disc compressing my nerves even though MRI says contrary.
He has given me pain relievers and anti inflammatory along with neck collar
Thanks for your answer, I am writing my full report here
Service requested: MRI w/o contrast of cervical spine
Study reasons Neck Pain, left right arm numbness
Observations
Scoliosis with convexity to the left side
Loss of normal t2 hyperintense signal is seen involving all the cervical disc suggestive of disc dessication
C4-C5 disc reveals mild posterior disc bulge with left foraminal disc protrusion indenting anterior subarchanoid space without any exiting nerve root compression.
-The cervical vertebrae shows normal alignment and signal intensity
-The vertebral bodies are normal in height and signal intensity. The posterior elements are normal
-The intervertebral disc are normal in height and signal intensity
-There is no other disc herniation or foraminal narrowing
-The visualized spinal cord is normal in morphology and signal intensity
-There is no abnormal pre or paraspinal soft tissue
-The craniovertebral junction is normal
Conclusion MRI cervical spine reveals
Scoliosis with convexity to the left side
Loss of normal t2 hyperintense signal is seen involving all the cervical disc suggestive of disc dessication
Mild posterior disc bulge with left foraminal disc protrusion of C4-5 disc indenting anterior subarachnoid space without any nerve root compression.
Now i want to know how severe this MRI is and how much time do I have before I require a surgery. I am 30 years old now. My doctor told me I have a bulging disc compressing my nerves even though MRI says contrary.
He has given me pain relievers and anti inflammatory along with neck collar
Brief Answer:
Surgery can wait for now.
Detailed Answer:
Welcome back.
The MRI findings show first stages of degerative and herniated discs disease.
First stages are seldom treated surgically, conservative treatment possibilities should be exhausted first.
Treatment modalities range from anti-inflammatory therapy to exercises designed to increase muscle strength and relieve joint loading.
If the conservative treatment fails to improve your symptoms surgery may be the next step.
Another issue to address in your case is the angle ( degree ) of the scoliosis.
If moderate to severe, scoliosis play an important role in your symptoms.
Hope I helped you.
Take care.
Surgery can wait for now.
Detailed Answer:
Welcome back.
The MRI findings show first stages of degerative and herniated discs disease.
First stages are seldom treated surgically, conservative treatment possibilities should be exhausted first.
Treatment modalities range from anti-inflammatory therapy to exercises designed to increase muscle strength and relieve joint loading.
If the conservative treatment fails to improve your symptoms surgery may be the next step.
Another issue to address in your case is the angle ( degree ) of the scoliosis.
If moderate to severe, scoliosis play an important role in your symptoms.
Hope I helped you.
Take care.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Kampana
Thank you Doctor
One more thing c4-5 study reveals that the disc is foraminally protruding the space on the left and indenting anterior subarachnoid space without compressing the exiting nerve root.
Now as far as I know if the disc is compressing exiting root that's when it causes pain and numbness in the area it is attached to.
But what about this anterior subarachnoid space. I know that's where we have cerebrospinal fluid flowing in so if it is indenting how severe it is?
One more thing c4-5 study reveals that the disc is foraminally protruding the space on the left and indenting anterior subarachnoid space without compressing the exiting nerve root.
Now as far as I know if the disc is compressing exiting root that's when it causes pain and numbness in the area it is attached to.
But what about this anterior subarachnoid space. I know that's where we have cerebrospinal fluid flowing in so if it is indenting how severe it is?
Brief Answer:
Partially compressed CSF space.
Detailed Answer:
Hello again.
It is true that direct contact with the nerves or spinal cord causes the pain.
Only anterior subarachnoidal space narrowed means that CSF flows lateral or in the posterior space.
This condition is considered severe if all sides of CSF flow space are narrowed.
Hope this helps.
Please rate and close the answer if you found it helpful and if you don't have any further questions.
In good health.
Partially compressed CSF space.
Detailed Answer:
Hello again.
It is true that direct contact with the nerves or spinal cord causes the pain.
Only anterior subarachnoidal space narrowed means that CSF flows lateral or in the posterior space.
This condition is considered severe if all sides of CSF flow space are narrowed.
Hope this helps.
Please rate and close the answer if you found it helpful and if you don't have any further questions.
In good health.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
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