Back Pain. Small Tear Along Paracentral Location With Focal Protrusion. Help

CLINICAL HISTRORY : pain in back radiating to left leg since 2 months with numbness. PLAIN MRI SCAN OF LUMBAR SPINE PROTOCOL: Non-contrast MRI scan of lumbar spine was performed by obtaining 4 mm thick T1W & T2W sagittal images, 4 mm thick T1W & T2W axial images and 4 mm thick T1W & STIR coronal images with thick slab MR Myelographic sagittal & coronal images using HASTE technique. OBSERVATIONS: • Normal lumbar lordosis is maintained. • There is partial loss of normal water content of L4-L5 and L5—S1 intervertebral discs suggesting disc dessication. • Small tear is seen along the left paracentral location of L4-L5 intervertebral disc with focal protrusion which is indenting over the anterior aspect of thecal sac and significantly compressing the left traversing L5 nerve root . • Diffuse posterocentral and bilateral paracentral protrusion of L5-S1 intervertebral disc noted which is indenting over anterior aspect of thecal sac and is causing mild narrowing of spinal canal at this level without significant nerve root compression • Remaining lumbar intervertebral discs as well as the D12—L1 intervertebral disc appear normal in signal intensity and contour. • There is mild ligamentum flavum thickening on right side along L3—L4 and L4-L5 disc level.