Had mri thurs have appt with spinal specialist next tues. That is way to long for me to wait.
lumbar spine perormed utilizing sagittal and axial T1 & T2 weighted sequencws.
Findings: There is mild retrolisthesis of L5 on S1. There is diffuse disc desication from L3 thru S1.
Vertebral body height is in tact with no compression fracture.
Limited sagital imaging of the conus demonstrates high signal within the central cord at thte T11/T12 level.
Axial T2weighted images do not image thru this area. Additionally thoracic cord imaging will be neededto confirm if this is a true abnormality versus artifact.
At T12/L1,L1/L2,THE DISC ARE WITHIN NORMAL LIMITS.
At L3/L4 there is a diffuse disc bulge with mildcanal forminal narrowing.
AL4/L5 There is desiccated, diffuse disc bulge with mild bolateral and moderate canal narrowing.
At L5/S1 There is a desiccated disc bulge and central posterior disc herniation. There is left greater than right degenerativefacet changes.
Constellation of findings result in moderately severe canal narrowing, severe forminal narrowing and moderate right forminal narrowing.
Cannot exclude impingement of the exiting left L5 nerve root.
Additionally, disc material encroaches both lateral recess ease and contacts both S1 nerve roots within the canal.
Clinical correlation is recommended.
Impression:
1. multilevel degenerative changes most marked at L5/S1 with DISC BULGE AND DISC HERNIATION RESULTING IN SEVERE LEFT FORMINAL STENOSIS AND MODERATELY SEVERE STENOSIS OF THE CENTRAL CANAL.
Correlation for any left-sided L5 and bilateral S1 nerve root symptoms recommended.
2. SagittalT2 weighted images suggest possible cord signal abnormality at T11/T12, not completely imaged on this exam.
Advise thoracic cord mri study for further evaluation.
I know this is long. But i hope someone can give me some answers. Thanks Linda