Help Understanding MRI Results & Pain Management

[Littlethings2]

I've had lower back pain for as long as I can remember & recently its gotten worse, along with added more frequent extremity numbness (legs). In 2008, an MRI found very mild degenerative changes in my spine. I had one recently & they found "modest" desiccation in my discs. My Pain Management doctor requested I get this MRI to see how my conditions have worsened. However, the report has some sentences that I am not sure how to interpret, such as "significance is highly doubtful" and "essentially normal MRI of lumbar spine". Can anyone tell me how my Pain Management doctor is going to perceive these results? I'm really mad at myself because I should have seen a spine specialist not just a neurologist.

Here are the results:
FINDINGS:
Vertebral body signal and vertebral body height are preserved.  Disc signal and disc height are preserved.  There is no evidence of herniated nucleus pulposus or foraminal stenosis at any level and there is no evidence of intraspinous/paraspinous mass.  There is modest desiccation involving the T11-T12 and T12-L1 intervertebral discs at the periphery of the field of view and perhaps L1-L2 as well.  The significance of this is highly doubtful.

IMPRESSION:
Essentially negative MRI of lumbar spine.  No evidence of fracture/dislocation, focal disc herniation, or neural foramina compromise at any level.

Any advice/help is much appreciated.

[cmac66]

Basically they dont think your spine is causing the low back pain or extremity numbness. T-11 to L-1 are mid back and usually the extremity numbness is lower from L-3, L-4, L-5, S-1. However, these mid level discs that are desiccated (dried out and started to degenerate) can put pressure on the lower discs so there is a chance it could still be a reason for your symptoms

[Tuckamore]

Hello Littlethings,

Welcome! I am sorry to hear about your chronic back pain. We can relate!

Let me say that I am not a radiologist - nor am I a specialist in any area. My input not should be taken as a medical opinion. You should consult your medical provider for the correct answers. This is only my personal opinion of your MRI results.

Your MRI is basically good. "The significance of this is highly doubtful." means this radiologist believes these finding should in all likelihood not be causing pain.

"Essentially negative MRI of lumbar spine" means just what it says. Your spine appears fairly healthy to the radiologist. I assume he/she is considering your age.

Desiccation is the state of extreme dryness, or the process of extreme drying. Disc desiccation is an extremely common degenerative change of intervertebral discs. The incidence climbs with age, and to a large degree a gradual desiccation is a 'normal' part of disc aging.

Usually an MRI is also read by the specialist you are consulting. It's not rare for a specialist to see or interrupt something different than the radiologist.

I hope I've been of help. Please keep in touch and let us know how you are doing. I'll look forward to hearing more from you.

Take Care and Good Luck,
~Tuck