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What Does This MRI Report Of Spine Indicate?
Question: I recently had an MRI, and I'm trying to understand the results of my back.
I'll retype the Impressions:
1. At the L4-5 level there is spondylitic change with moderate to severe bilateral facet joint athropathy/hypertrophy. There is a right greater than left joint effusion. There is a 1 to 2mm anterolisthesis. There is also a broad-based 2mm central disk protrusion effacing the ventral thecal sac. There is no definite nerve root compression. There is no significant central canal stenosis. There is mild bilateral foraminal stenosis.
2. At the L5-S1 level, there is spondylitic change and 2 mm disk bulging which effaces the ventral thecal sac. The disk bulge is in close proximity to bilateral S1 roots but the nerve roots do not appear displaced. There is no significant canal or formainal stenosis.
3.At the L3-4 level, there is spondylitic change with a superimposed 2-3mm central disk protrusion. This effaces the ventral thecal sac and is in close proximity to the bilateral L4 nerve roots. The nerve roots do not appear displaced. There is no significant central canal or foraminal stenosis.
4. The upper lumbal levels are within normal limits.
I'll retype the Impressions:
1. At the L4-5 level there is spondylitic change with moderate to severe bilateral facet joint athropathy/hypertrophy. There is a right greater than left joint effusion. There is a 1 to 2mm anterolisthesis. There is also a broad-based 2mm central disk protrusion effacing the ventral thecal sac. There is no definite nerve root compression. There is no significant central canal stenosis. There is mild bilateral foraminal stenosis.
2. At the L5-S1 level, there is spondylitic change and 2 mm disk bulging which effaces the ventral thecal sac. The disk bulge is in close proximity to bilateral S1 roots but the nerve roots do not appear displaced. There is no significant canal or formainal stenosis.
3.At the L3-4 level, there is spondylitic change with a superimposed 2-3mm central disk protrusion. This effaces the ventral thecal sac and is in close proximity to the bilateral L4 nerve roots. The nerve roots do not appear displaced. There is no significant central canal or foraminal stenosis.
4. The upper lumbal levels are within normal limits.
Brief Answer:
Findings suggests degenerative changes in lumbo-sacral spine.
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Findings suggests degenerative changes in lumbo-sacral spine.There are spondylotic changes in lumbar spine with mild inter-verebral disc prolapse.
Degenerative changes are generally age related findings.It is due to chronic stress on annulus fibrosis.
At L4-5 level,there is spondylotic changes with facet(bony joints in between two vertebra) arthropathy(joint disease).There is fluid in facet joints(joint effusion,right > left) with mild forward movement of vertebra (anterolisthesis). There is mild disc protrusion which is touching ventral thecal sac.
It is good that there is no definitive nerve root compression.There is only mild bilateral lateral neural foramen narrowing.
At L5-S1 and L3-4 level there is spondylosis with mild disc bulge.There is no central spinal canal or lateral neural formamen narrowing.
Rest of the vertebra are normal.
Majority of degenerative disc disease patients are benefited by conservative treatment in the form of physiotherapy,analgesics and muscle relaxants.
Surgery should be the last option.
As you have mild findings,you may only need conservative treatment only.
Physiotherapy helps in strengthening of back muscles and it prevents further changes.
Get well soon.
Hope I have answered your question.
Further queries are most welcome.
Take Care
Dr.Indu XXXXXXX
Findings suggests degenerative changes in lumbo-sacral spine.
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Findings suggests degenerative changes in lumbo-sacral spine.There are spondylotic changes in lumbar spine with mild inter-verebral disc prolapse.
Degenerative changes are generally age related findings.It is due to chronic stress on annulus fibrosis.
At L4-5 level,there is spondylotic changes with facet(bony joints in between two vertebra) arthropathy(joint disease).There is fluid in facet joints(joint effusion,right > left) with mild forward movement of vertebra (anterolisthesis). There is mild disc protrusion which is touching ventral thecal sac.
It is good that there is no definitive nerve root compression.There is only mild bilateral lateral neural foramen narrowing.
At L5-S1 and L3-4 level there is spondylosis with mild disc bulge.There is no central spinal canal or lateral neural formamen narrowing.
Rest of the vertebra are normal.
Majority of degenerative disc disease patients are benefited by conservative treatment in the form of physiotherapy,analgesics and muscle relaxants.
Surgery should be the last option.
As you have mild findings,you may only need conservative treatment only.
Physiotherapy helps in strengthening of back muscles and it prevents further changes.
Get well soon.
Hope I have answered your question.
Further queries are most welcome.
Take Care
Dr.Indu XXXXXXX
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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