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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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MRI Shows L4-5 Disc Is Desiccated And Formaminal Herniation. Meaning?

Mri, L4-5 Disc is desiccated and reavls broad based posterior and left paracentral as well as formaminal herniation. It indents the thecal sac, both L-4and left L-5 nerve roots and causes mild narrowwing of the central canal and neutral forrmina bilaterally (left more than right) the herniation measures approximately 4mm in size
Mon, 1 Jul 2013
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Radiologist,  's  Response
Hi,
Thanks for writing in.

Here is an interpretation of your report in simple language.

The lower back consists of 5 small lumbar bones bones arranged on top of each other, a sacral bone (consisting of 5 fused sacral segments) and a coccygeal bone, making up the lumbosacral spine.

These small bones are separated from each other by spongy material known as discs which are located in between them. Within the bones, at the rear side, there is the spinal cord which passes through. Nerve roots leave the spinal cord through gaps in between the bones (neural foramina).

Now, due to aging and degenerative processes, the bones loose shape and the discs also loose get pushes on all sides (more in backward direction). This causes pressure on the nerve roots and the spinal cord.

In yout situation, the L4 L5 disc has decreased water content (dessicated) and is pushed backwards into the central canal (by about 4 mm), as well as sideways it is compressing on the nerve roots (left more than right).

Hope this helps.
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MRI Shows L4-5 Disc Is Desiccated And Formaminal Herniation. Meaning?

Hi, Thanks for writing in. Here is an interpretation of your report in simple language. The lower back consists of 5 small lumbar bones bones arranged on top of each other, a sacral bone (consisting of 5 fused sacral segments) and a coccygeal bone, making up the lumbosacral spine. These small bones are separated from each other by spongy material known as discs which are located in between them. Within the bones, at the rear side, there is the spinal cord which passes through. Nerve roots leave the spinal cord through gaps in between the bones (neural foramina). Now, due to aging and degenerative processes, the bones loose shape and the discs also loose get pushes on all sides (more in backward direction). This causes pressure on the nerve roots and the spinal cord. In yout situation, the L4 L5 disc has decreased water content (dessicated) and is pushed backwards into the central canal (by about 4 mm), as well as sideways it is compressing on the nerve roots (left more than right). Hope this helps.