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What Does My MRI Scan Test Report Indicate?
Question: I have MRI's including one for the lumbar spine which I have questions about. I was in an auto accident and have had complications since that which cause imbalance, delay of nerve response to the legs, and other complications. Sometimes I must resort to a wheelchair. Movements like bending over with the knees straight, compression from above the spine or from below, carrying items, standing or sitting too long result in those problems.
Before the accident I could run 4 miles and work out and had a very active life. All that has changed. Multiple tests are showing nothing. I am wondering if the MRI actually does show problems or if the prone position is masking them as lying down is how I release the problems. I can also pull my hips in and stop the spasms in my legs.
I have five questions from a select five pictures from the lumbar MRI that look questionable to me. I would like your opinion.
Before the accident I could run 4 miles and work out and had a very active life. All that has changed. Multiple tests are showing nothing. I am wondering if the MRI actually does show problems or if the prone position is masking them as lying down is how I release the problems. I can also pull my hips in and stop the spasms in my legs.
I have five questions from a select five pictures from the lumbar MRI that look questionable to me. I would like your opinion.
Brief Answer:
MRI scan images provided show no serious problems
Detailed Answer:
Hi xxxxxxxxxxxxx,
Thanks for writing in to us.
I have read through your query in detail.
Please find my observations below.
Sorry to hear about your accident and symptoms associated with the injury. Hope it is under control and you are not in much discomfort. It is important to know when you had the accident and since when the symptoms have been there. The images uploaded by you are inadequate to give a complete interpretation of your MRI scan but I can try to look into the specific questions which you have.
1. The image labeled spines touching can be considered acceptable and not a concern. However age age 65 years there might be mild degenerative changes which includes facet arthropathy.
2. I do not see any disc problem in the provided images. The discs are as they should be in a normal person and there are no major disc problems. Any minor problems need to be ruled out by seeing the complete set of pictures.
3. The white spot is probably a partial volume of a normal structure and not an alarming finding.
4. The picture showing one femur higher is due to positioning. Both the hip joints were not at the same level due because of the position when doing the scan.
5. The curve in the sacral region is slightly exaggerated but not abnormal. This should not raise any concern.
In conclusion, there is no disc problem or any serious concern with the lumbar sacral spine. However there is every possibility that a nerve is getting pinched when doing certain movements and maneuvers which can cause significant pain. The lumbar spine shows changes as expected in a patient at your age and is acceptable. I guess that your pain is from nerve irritation at some point along its course and a complete neurological clinical examination might help.
Hope your query is answered.
Please do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
MRI scan images provided show no serious problems
Detailed Answer:
Hi xxxxxxxxxxxxx,
Thanks for writing in to us.
I have read through your query in detail.
Please find my observations below.
Sorry to hear about your accident and symptoms associated with the injury. Hope it is under control and you are not in much discomfort. It is important to know when you had the accident and since when the symptoms have been there. The images uploaded by you are inadequate to give a complete interpretation of your MRI scan but I can try to look into the specific questions which you have.
1. The image labeled spines touching can be considered acceptable and not a concern. However age age 65 years there might be mild degenerative changes which includes facet arthropathy.
2. I do not see any disc problem in the provided images. The discs are as they should be in a normal person and there are no major disc problems. Any minor problems need to be ruled out by seeing the complete set of pictures.
3. The white spot is probably a partial volume of a normal structure and not an alarming finding.
4. The picture showing one femur higher is due to positioning. Both the hip joints were not at the same level due because of the position when doing the scan.
5. The curve in the sacral region is slightly exaggerated but not abnormal. This should not raise any concern.
In conclusion, there is no disc problem or any serious concern with the lumbar sacral spine. However there is every possibility that a nerve is getting pinched when doing certain movements and maneuvers which can cause significant pain. The lumbar spine shows changes as expected in a patient at your age and is acceptable. I guess that your pain is from nerve irritation at some point along its course and a complete neurological clinical examination might help.
Hope your query is answered.
Please do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
Answered by
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