help with mri reading / diagnosis in plain English please

[zapp10]

I recently had an mri at the va and need some help interpreting this jargon, as it will probably be weeks before I can see my doctor again

Findings:  Sagittal and axial mr images of the lumbar spine were obtained in multiple sequences without contrast

Sagittal images reveal annular bulges greatest at the L3-four and L4-five level.  A prominent hemangioma is noted in the lower two thirds of the L1 vertebral body as well as in the center of the L4 vertebral body.  This correlates with CT findings.

L1-2 level demonstrates the prominent right of midline hemangioma.  The central canal and both neoroforamen are patent

L2 - 3 level demonstrates no siginificant abnormality

L3-4 level demonstrates mild annular bulge and facet arthropathy resulting in caudal foraminal narrowing.  The central canal and neuroforamina are patent

L4-5 level demonstrates broad annular bulge with small volume central disc protrusion minimally effacing the thecal sac both neuroforamina and central canal remained patent

L5-S1 level demonstrates broad annular bulge with small volume central disc protrusion which effaces the thecal sac.  There is bilateral facet arthropathy with mild narrowing of the exit zone the central canal and both neuroforamina remain patent

Aorta shows no aneurysmal dilitation of the visualized portions

The conus medullaris terminates at approximately mid L1

[alphawolf150]

Good Grief, that truely is a foreign language. I can help some but there is a lot there that I have no clue. L3-4 has a minor bulging disc, which means that it pushes out but is not ruptured it also says that your central spinal canal is not affected. L4-5 has a worse bulging disc, this disc is not just bulging at the sides but also in the middle; I have no ideal what a thecal sac is but the disc is affecting it but minorly. L5-S1 is also a worse bulging disc that bulges at the side and in the middle also affecting the thecal sac. The other thing I recognized was that your aorta (an artery that runs down from the heart through your abdomin) was not dialated(expanded) and no sign of an aneurysm(bulg in the wall of the artery or vein that can brurst causing internal bleading and possibly death). I'm sorry I can't help more good luck with your docs. If you don't mind me asking how do you like the va. Do you feel that you and other vets get appropriate and timly care? The reason I ask is that our va is not very well equiped and even the docs have issue. I am going into psychology and have talked with many of the providers that work with mostly the vets recently returning and the docs say that they are not given adiquate time to properly treat these wonderful men and women. Would really appreciate your input.

[selmaS]

Hi and welcome to the back and neck support forum.

I am so sorry, I can not make sense of this for u...maybe the expert forum may be able to explain it for u.


I pray u find ur answers and freedom from pain!!
"selma"