Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
What Does This MRI Report Of Brain Indicate?
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:
Third MRI need re-reporting.
Detailed Answer:
Hi Ms XXXXXX,
Thank you for posting your query.
I have noted your symptoms and all three MRI reports.
As per the first two MRI reports, there is bulging of discs and compression of nerves in the cervical (neck) region, which can explain your current symptoms.
We expected similar findings in the latest MRI too, however, it has been reported as normal. Degenerative changes of spine and bulging of discs are irreversible, and so, the normal report is a bit odd.
I would request you to get the latest MRI scan re-reported by a neuroradiologist.
I hope my reply has helped you.
I would be pleased to answer, if you have any follow up queries or if you require any further information.
Best wishes,
Dr Sudhir Kumar MD (Internal Medicine), DM (Neurology) XXXXXXX Consultant Neurologist
Apollo Hospitals, XXXXXXX
For DIRECT QUERY to me: http://bit.ly/Dr-Sudhir-kumar
My blog: http://XXXXXX
Third MRI need re-reporting.
Detailed Answer:
Hi Ms XXXXXX,
Thank you for posting your query.
I have noted your symptoms and all three MRI reports.
As per the first two MRI reports, there is bulging of discs and compression of nerves in the cervical (neck) region, which can explain your current symptoms.
We expected similar findings in the latest MRI too, however, it has been reported as normal. Degenerative changes of spine and bulging of discs are irreversible, and so, the normal report is a bit odd.
I would request you to get the latest MRI scan re-reported by a neuroradiologist.
I hope my reply has helped you.
I would be pleased to answer, if you have any follow up queries or if you require any further information.
Best wishes,
Dr Sudhir Kumar MD (Internal Medicine), DM (Neurology) XXXXXXX Consultant Neurologist
Apollo Hospitals, XXXXXXX
For DIRECT QUERY to me: http://bit.ly/Dr-Sudhir-kumar
My blog: http://XXXXXX
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju
My primary care refuses to send me to neurology or a consult for a neuro surgeon evaluation due to the last normal MRI. So this condition is not curable, nor does it heal on its own, correct?
Brief Answer:
At least MRI can be seen by another Radiologist.
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for getting back.
It is unfortunate that your primary care is giving more importance to the MRI than your symptoms.
In managing a patient, we need to give more importance to the symptoms and signs, rather than the test reports.
Regarding disc bulges, it would not go back to the normal position; however, the symptoms do get better with physiotherapy and medications.
Best wishes,
Dr Sudhir Kumar MD DM (Neurology)
At least MRI can be seen by another Radiologist.
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for getting back.
It is unfortunate that your primary care is giving more importance to the MRI than your symptoms.
In managing a patient, we need to give more importance to the symptoms and signs, rather than the test reports.
Regarding disc bulges, it would not go back to the normal position; however, the symptoms do get better with physiotherapy and medications.
Best wishes,
Dr Sudhir Kumar MD DM (Neurology)
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
