MRI report

[jrnyc]

i just read MRI written report from June 2009...
never saw it before...i don't understand a lot of it...
don't know if i want to...(that's kind of a joke)

it sounds bad..."severe rotatory scoliosis with degenerative disc and facet
disease throughout lumbar spine. There is foraminal narrowing at multiple levels,
and the spinal canal is distorted with relative narrowing, most severe at L4-L5"
is the "impression"

what i don't get is it says i don't have spinal stenosis, when a myleogram from
2004 said i have spinal stenosis...
this MRI report says things like "severe rotatory convex left thoracolumbar,
convex right lower lumbar scoliosis which distorts the anatomy"

it analyzes, as i guess all spinal MRI's do, at each level...at T11- T12, L1-L2,
L2-L3, L3-L4, L4-L5, and L5-S1...
it says (at L1-L2)"severe hypertrophic change in the right facet has mild mass effect upon
the thecal sac. There is no spinal or foraminal stenosis"

no stenosis??...why then did myleogram say i have "spinal stenosis" ????

it also says (at L2- L3) "the canal is distorted without evidence of stenosis.
Right foramen is narrowed"

there is repeated mention of "asymmetrical disc space narrowing".....

i am confused....lots of "narrowing" of all kinds of stuff, but no stenosis....??

jess

[rohrer01]

"severe rotatory scoliosis with degenerative disc and facet
disease throughout lumbar spine. There is foraminal narrowing at multiple levels,
and the spinal canal is distorted with relative narrowing, most severe at L4-L5"
is the "impression"

it analyzes, as i guess all spinal MRI's do, at each level...at T11- T12, L1-L2,
L2-L3, L3-L4, L4-L5, and L5-S1...
it says (at L1-L2)"severe hypertrophic change in the right facet has mild mass effect upon
the thecal sac. There is no spinal or foraminal stenosis"


jess

Hey, Jess.
There are a few things to consider here. The first being that a myelogram/CT gives a much clearer picture than an MRI and they can see things and diagnose things that are missed on an MRI.

The second thing is that it was my impression that "stenosis" is narrowing of the spinal canal, period.

So my "guess" is that your stenosis is in your lower lumbar region being worst at L4/L5. The problem at L1/L2 seems to be more of a facet joint problem that has irritated and created a problem with the sac around your spinal chord. This is a different problem than what you have in the lower lumbar. It almost sounds like there is a little scar tissue buildup on the sac at L1/L2.

So that is my totaly unprofessional, layperson's interpretation of the discrepancies you see on your two tests. I'm sure Linda will correct me if I'm wrong. I probably shouldn't offer an interpretation since I really can't claim to know what I'm talking about. But you asked. :-)

Take care,
Rohrer01

[jrnyc]

all opinions/interpretations appreciated...
thanks, rohr...

jess

[LindaRacine]

It noted no stenosis at those specific levels only.

[jrnyc]

oh...OK...
i guess the myleogram report made it more clear to me....
thanks....

jess

[loves to skate]

Yes, Jess, I can see why you were confused. You have stenosis everywhere except at L1-L2. Your MRI sounds a lot like mine did. Not much fun is it?
Sally

[jrnyc]

hey Sally
nope, definitely no fun!

i am fine til i see it in black and white...X ray, written report....
then it is glaringly clear just how bad my spine is...

hope you are feeling good...

jess