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What does my MRI mean? Will I need surgery?

Hello! I got my MRI results back and was wondering if anyone knew how bad my case was. I am still waiting to meet with the neurosurgeon to discuss the results but I want to know if I should prepare myself for the possibility of surgery. I will copy and paste the results here.


Comments from the Doctor's Office
MRI results: Multilevel degenerative change, greatest at the L3-L4, L4-L5 and L5-S1 levels with mild acquired spinal canal stenosis and left-sided nerve encroachment as detailed. Continue with plan to follow with neurosurgery as discussed at office visit with Dr. Helzer.

Study Result
Impression
1. Multilevel degenerative change, greatest at the L3-L4, L4-L5 and L5-S1
levels with mild acquired spinal canal stenosis and left-sided nerve
encroachment as detailed.

THIS DOCUMENT HAS BEEN ELECTRONICALLY SIGNED BY GUY GIBSON MD

Narrative
EXAM:
MR Lumbar Spine Without Contrast.

EXAM DATE/TIME:
3/29/2019 4:16 AM

CLINICAL HISTORY:
23 years old, female; Intervertebral disc disorders with radiculopathy, lumbar
region; Low back pain; Abnormal findings on diagnostic imaging of other parts
of musculoskeletal system; Additional info: Abnormal xray, lumbar spine, djd

TECHNIQUE:
Imaging protocol: Multiplanar magnetic resonance images of the lumbar spine
without intravenous contrast.

COMPARISON:
CR XR LUMBAR SPINE 2 OR 3 VIEWS 3/15/2019 10:26 AM

FINDINGS:
Vertebrae: Vertebral body heights are preserved. There is no evidence of
acute fracture or traumatic subluxation. Marrow signal intensity is within
normal limits.

L1-L2: L1-L2 level: No disc bulge or protrusion. No significant central canal
or neuroforaminal stenosis.

L2-L3: L2-L3 level: No significant disc bulge or protrusion. No significant
central canal or neuroforaminal stenosis.

L3-L4: L3-L4 level: There is mild disc desiccation and loss of disc space
height. There is a left paracentral extrusion, which extends inferiorly
approximately 5 mm and effaces the left lateral thecal sac. There is mild
associated central canal stenosis. There is no significant neuroforaminal
stenosis. There is severe narrowing of the left lateral recess with mild
compression of the left L4 nerve root.

L4-L5: L4-L5 level: There is mild disc desiccation and loss of disc space
height. There is a broad based disc bulge with left paracentral extrusion and
small annular tear, which extends inferiorly approximately 3 mm and effaces the
ventral thecal sac. There is mild associated central canal stenosis. There is
no significant neural foraminal stenosis. There is narrowing of the lateral
recesses left greater than right. There is mild compression of the left L5
nerve root.

L5-S1: L5-S1 level: There is disc desiccation and loss of disc space height.
There is a broad based disc bulge, which minimally effaces the ventral thecal
sac. There is no significant central canal stenosis. There is mild neural
foraminal stenosis on the left. There is mild narrowing of the lateral recesses
bilaterally. There is mild abutment of the L5 and S1 nerve roots on the left.
There is mild facet arthrosis.

Spinal cord: The conus medullaris is normal in location and signal intensity.

Soft tissues: Paravertebral soft tissues are within normal limits.
2 Responses
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363281 tn?1643235611
COMMUNITY LEADER
Hello~It has been awhile since this was posted, I am wondering how you are doing and what the outcome was.  I am not experienced in MRI readings, but it did not look too serious, however, that is up to the doctor, if you do have surgery, it probably won't be too drastic, if you are not in pain, maybe he can prescribe some other ways to deal with this problem, my chiropractor helps with my herniated discs, and it would appear you may have some in your lower back as well.
Helpful - 0
973741 tn?1342342773
So, your doctor will go over this thoroughly and that is who you really need to get the right information from.  From looking at it, it appears most is very mild. The last grouping is probably the worst section but you will read mild and within normal several times everywhere else.  

I must ask you if you are in tremendous pain.  Have they tried other things prior to surgery?  It looks like surgery is what they will recommend.  If you are in significant pain, then I guess that may be the best route. But perhaps physical therapy could also help you with the mild areas.  Regardless, there does appear to be some damage and something will need to be done.  good news is that it is not terrible at this point.

Let me know what your doctor says when you speak with him.
Helpful - 0
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