spinal mri results

[akayevans]

Can someone help me understand these results please?

IMPRESSION:
1. Disc degeneration at L3-L4 through L5-S1. Central disc protrusion at L3-L4 that
mildly compresses the central portion of the thecal sac but without significant overall
spinal stenosis or neural foraminal encroachment.
2. At L4-L5, there is severe disc degeneration. There is a diffuse disc bulge and central
disc protrusion that migrates below level of the disc space and causes moderate
compression of the thecal sac. Hypertrophic changes of posterior elements contribute to
mild to moderate overall spinal stenosis and mild bilateral neural foraminal stenosis.
3. At L5-S1, there is significant disc degeneration. Diffuse disc bulge with a slight central
disc protrusion without compromise of the thecal sac or the S1 nerve roots,. No overall
spinal stenosis. Bilateral neural foraminal stenosis worse on the right side than the left.
Report
MRI L-SPINE W/O:
HISTORY: Lumbar back pain.
COMPARISON: None.
TECHNIQUE: Multisequence multiplanar imaging was taken through the lumbar spine
without contrast.
FINDINGS:
There is normal alignment of the vertebral bodies and posterior elements. Normal
appearing cord terminates at the level of L1. Homogeneous signal in the marrow the
vertebral bodies.
On the axial images at:
L1-L2: No disc bulge or protrusion. No overall spinal stenosis. Mild hypertrophic
degenerative changes of the facets. No significant neural foraminal stenosis.
L2-L3: No evidence of significant disc bulge or protrusion. No evidence of spinal
stenosis. No compromise of the thecal sac.
L3-L4: Intervertebral disc space narrowing and desiccation of the disc. Focal central
disc protrusion mildly impinges the central portion of the thecal sac. No overall spinal
stenosis. No significant neural foraminal encroachment is noted.
L4-L5: There is intervertebral disc space narrowing and disc degeneration. Reactive
marrow changes in adjacent vertebral body endplates. Broad-based central disc
protrusion migrates below the level of the disc space. Moderate compression of the
midportion of the thecal sac. Hypertrophic changes of the posterior elements contribute
to mild overall spinal stenosis. Mild bilateral neuroforaminal stenosis.
L5-S1: Intervertebral disc space narrowing and disc degeneration. Diffuse disc bulge
with a slight central shallow disc protrusion. No significant compression of the thecal sac
or compromise of the S1 nerve roots. No overall spinal stenosis. Hypertrophic
degenerative changes of the facets. Bilateral neural foraminal stenosis worse on the
right side than the left.