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What Do The Attached MRI Reports Indicate?
Question: Please help me understand my current MRI report of my cervical spine; I have been in pain, numbness, tingling, radiating pain for some time now?
Interpretation: Vertebral body heights are maintained.
At C5-C6 there is disc desiccation with disc height loss and endplate
spur. There is a posterior disc osteophyte complex that effaces the
anterior CSF space. There is right greater than left uncovertebral spur.
There is severe right and mild left foraminal narrowing.
There is minimal central protrusion of the discs at C3-C4 and C4-C5.
Spinal canal and neural foramina are otherwise patent.
CONCLUSION: Impression: Stable appearance of the cervical spine with
degenerative disc disease at C5-C6 causing mild spinal stenosis
Electronically Signed by: XXXXXXX Akers, MD
Interpretation: Vertebral body heights are maintained.
At C5-C6 there is disc desiccation with disc height loss and endplate
spur. There is a posterior disc osteophyte complex that effaces the
anterior CSF space. There is right greater than left uncovertebral spur.
There is severe right and mild left foraminal narrowing.
There is minimal central protrusion of the discs at C3-C4 and C4-C5.
Spinal canal and neural foramina are otherwise patent.
CONCLUSION: Impression: Stable appearance of the cervical spine with
degenerative disc disease at C5-C6 causing mild spinal stenosis
Electronically Signed by: XXXXXXX Akers, MD
Brief Answer:
There is pressure on nerves of cervical spine
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for writing in to us.
There are 7 small bones in the neck called cervical vertebrae. These bones are aligned on top of each other and a bony canal is formed on the posterior part called spinal canal. Between two bones there is spongy disc tissue.
The spinal cord passes through the canal. There are small foramen on both sides at disc level between two bones through which nerves originating from the spinal cord exit the spinal canal.
In your MRI scan there are degenerative changes in some disc levels which is maximum in C5-C6. This is causing pressure on nerves which is causing a lot of pain.
Wishing you quick recovery.
Please write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
There is pressure on nerves of cervical spine
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for writing in to us.
There are 7 small bones in the neck called cervical vertebrae. These bones are aligned on top of each other and a bony canal is formed on the posterior part called spinal canal. Between two bones there is spongy disc tissue.
The spinal cord passes through the canal. There are small foramen on both sides at disc level between two bones through which nerves originating from the spinal cord exit the spinal canal.
In your MRI scan there are degenerative changes in some disc levels which is maximum in C5-C6. This is causing pressure on nerves which is causing a lot of pain.
Wishing you quick recovery.
Please write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
I thought when I chose a radiologist that a radiologist would answer the question
What does this mean?
There is minimal central protrusion of the discs at C3-C4 and C4-C5.
And then it says
There is severe right and mild left foraminal narrowing, but seems to contradict by saying neural foramina are otherwise patent. I believe patent means okay?
I do appreciate your help, but I believe this site showed you as an internal medicine doctor.
Please accept my apologies, but your name is very similar to another doctor on this site; Dr. XXXXXXX Chaly, ENT Specialist.
I do understand some of the terminology for the cervical spine, but the pain and numbness in my arm doesn't seem to match the report.
And the doctors in our area are lacking to a point. Example; when my doctor ordered the MRI, a lumbar MRI was requested and processed through insurance. And I have no problems with my lower back. Mistake, most likely. But that's a paperwork mistake that was corrected right before the MRI and I noticed it; I can't risk actual riskier mistake.
Again Thank you
What does this mean?
There is minimal central protrusion of the discs at C3-C4 and C4-C5.
And then it says
There is severe right and mild left foraminal narrowing, but seems to contradict by saying neural foramina are otherwise patent. I believe patent means okay?
I do appreciate your help, but I believe this site showed you as an internal medicine doctor.
Please accept my apologies, but your name is very similar to another doctor on this site; Dr. XXXXXXX Chaly, ENT Specialist.
I do understand some of the terminology for the cervical spine, but the pain and numbness in my arm doesn't seem to match the report.
And the doctors in our area are lacking to a point. Example; when my doctor ordered the MRI, a lumbar MRI was requested and processed through insurance. And I have no problems with my lower back. Mistake, most likely. But that's a paperwork mistake that was corrected right before the MRI and I noticed it; I can't risk actual riskier mistake.
Again Thank you
Brief Answer:
The pain is due to the actual pressure on nerve roots or nerve course
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for writing back with an update.
I confirm that I am a practicing board certified Radiologist and probably you have confuse me with another doctor with a similar sounding name.
In reply to the report findings,
The discs at C3-C4 and C4-C5 are showing only mild bulge. There is no pressure on the foramina at these levels.
The problem area is at C5-C6 disc level and here there is mild narrowing of the spinal canal and pressure on the nerve roots which is more on the right side and less on the left side.
So from these findings, I would expect you to have pain and numbness which is significant in your right arm and mild pain in your left arm. A pain in the neck area can be associated with these findings.
Now, coming to the point of discussion on the area of scan, I get to report 3 to 4 MRI spines every day. In most people, the cervical and lumbar spine are areas of degenerative changes which are first to cause symptoms of pain and discomfort. We usually do a screening MRI of the whole spine in my patients and then concentrate on the part for which the scan has been requested for by the referring doctor.
It is wise to get a screening of the entire spine and focused detailed evaluation of the part where there might be significant changes.
I also come across people who have a good lower back and usually the pain in only in the neck and upper limbs. I feel you belong to this group.
Going by your reply, I think the mention of a MRI lumbar spine is an error. However please mail to your hospital and insurance and bring it to their notice so that you are not inconvenienced in any way.
I shall be glad to help you out with more doubts is any.
Regards,
The pain is due to the actual pressure on nerve roots or nerve course
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for writing back with an update.
I confirm that I am a practicing board certified Radiologist and probably you have confuse me with another doctor with a similar sounding name.
In reply to the report findings,
The discs at C3-C4 and C4-C5 are showing only mild bulge. There is no pressure on the foramina at these levels.
The problem area is at C5-C6 disc level and here there is mild narrowing of the spinal canal and pressure on the nerve roots which is more on the right side and less on the left side.
So from these findings, I would expect you to have pain and numbness which is significant in your right arm and mild pain in your left arm. A pain in the neck area can be associated with these findings.
Now, coming to the point of discussion on the area of scan, I get to report 3 to 4 MRI spines every day. In most people, the cervical and lumbar spine are areas of degenerative changes which are first to cause symptoms of pain and discomfort. We usually do a screening MRI of the whole spine in my patients and then concentrate on the part for which the scan has been requested for by the referring doctor.
It is wise to get a screening of the entire spine and focused detailed evaluation of the part where there might be significant changes.
I also come across people who have a good lower back and usually the pain in only in the neck and upper limbs. I feel you belong to this group.
Going by your reply, I think the mention of a MRI lumbar spine is an error. However please mail to your hospital and insurance and bring it to their notice so that you are not inconvenienced in any way.
I shall be glad to help you out with more doubts is any.
Regards,
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
Answered by
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