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What Does This MRI Report Of Spine Indicate?
Question: lUMBAR SPINE mri READS : The axial images demonstrate a bulge at L4-L5 that effaces the thecal sac with a far left lateral greater component impinging upon the left neural foramen. There is also a bulge at L5-S1 effacing the thecal sac. What does this mean? Would this cause numbness and tingling in the lower left back area into buttock and on top of left foot?
Brief Answer:
Symptoms correspond to findings.
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
Our spinal column is made of bones called vertebrae. Between each vertebra there is a disc which serves to dampen trauma. If this disc is displaced commonly due to age related degeneration of the spine, trauma etc, it can compress adjacent structures. Commonly such a structure is nerve roots which compression can cause pain, sensory abnormalities in the area covered by that nerve.
So that report speaks of such a herniation, displacement which bulges and leads to compression of the L5 nerve root on the left. The symptoms you have correspond precisely to that nerve root as the area you describe is covered by that nerve.
I remain at your disposal for further questions.
Symptoms correspond to findings.
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
Our spinal column is made of bones called vertebrae. Between each vertebra there is a disc which serves to dampen trauma. If this disc is displaced commonly due to age related degeneration of the spine, trauma etc, it can compress adjacent structures. Commonly such a structure is nerve roots which compression can cause pain, sensory abnormalities in the area covered by that nerve.
So that report speaks of such a herniation, displacement which bulges and leads to compression of the L5 nerve root on the left. The symptoms you have correspond precisely to that nerve root as the area you describe is covered by that nerve.
I remain at your disposal for further questions.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you, would I also feel a weird feeling in my ankle on the same leg? What does S-1 effacing the thecal sac mean? What can I do to ease symptoms?
Brief Answer:
Read below
Detailed Answer:
Hello again!
The S1 part means that there is also a second disc bulge (it is not uncommon for changes to happen at more than one level). That disc bulge is in contact with the thecal sac. The thecal sac is sort of a sheath filled with fluid which surrounds the nerves bundle. So your protruding disc presses on this sheath, but according to the report for now doesn't indicate any compression o the nerves themselves which would cause symptoms.
As for the weird feeling in the ankle, it is possible, but if there are other symptoms like swelling, redness etc other causes must be sought.
To ease the symptoms physical therapy is the best method with more long lasting benefits. Also if you are in a line of activity which puts heavy loads on your spine (working or training with heavy weights) that should be changed, losing weight also will easy the load on the spine. If in pain over the counter painkillers like Ibuprofen are used, when those are not effective local injections or as a last resort surgery is considered (but only as a last resort when the rest has been tried for months and failed).
I hope to have been of help.
Read below
Detailed Answer:
Hello again!
The S1 part means that there is also a second disc bulge (it is not uncommon for changes to happen at more than one level). That disc bulge is in contact with the thecal sac. The thecal sac is sort of a sheath filled with fluid which surrounds the nerves bundle. So your protruding disc presses on this sheath, but according to the report for now doesn't indicate any compression o the nerves themselves which would cause symptoms.
As for the weird feeling in the ankle, it is possible, but if there are other symptoms like swelling, redness etc other causes must be sought.
To ease the symptoms physical therapy is the best method with more long lasting benefits. Also if you are in a line of activity which puts heavy loads on your spine (working or training with heavy weights) that should be changed, losing weight also will easy the load on the spine. If in pain over the counter painkillers like Ibuprofen are used, when those are not effective local injections or as a last resort surgery is considered (but only as a last resort when the rest has been tried for months and failed).
I hope to have been of help.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Brief Answer:
Certain areas.
Detailed Answer:
I am sorry if I wasn't able to explain it that well.
The compression of the L5 nerve at L4-L5 level should cause tingling and numbness in the area covered by that nerve.
The S1 thecal sac involvement shouldn't be causing tingling or numbness.
So you should experience them only in a certain area, the area covered by the L5 nerve. Judging from your description of symptoms over the top of the foot that seems to be the case indeed, the report and the symptoms correspond to each other.
I hope to have been more understandable this time. I hope you will feel better soon.
Certain areas.
Detailed Answer:
I am sorry if I wasn't able to explain it that well.
The compression of the L5 nerve at L4-L5 level should cause tingling and numbness in the area covered by that nerve.
The S1 thecal sac involvement shouldn't be causing tingling or numbness.
So you should experience them only in a certain area, the area covered by the L5 nerve. Judging from your description of symptoms over the top of the foot that seems to be the case indeed, the report and the symptoms correspond to each other.
I hope to have been more understandable this time. I hope you will feel better soon.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
You have been helpful. However, with my first question, I asked about the numbness on my lower back left hand side, radiating into the top of my left buttock. Does my report support such a thing?
report: lUMBAR SPINE mri READS : The axial images demonstrate a bulge at L4-L5 that effaces the thecal sac with a far left lateral greater component impinging upon the left neural foramen. There is also a bulge at L5-S1 effacing the thecal sac.
Another question pertaining to an MRI, these are the findings:
At C5-6 There is a mild disc bulge without cord deformity. There is no central canal stenosis or foraminal stenosis.
At C6-7 There is a mild disc bulge without cord deformity. There is no central canal stenosis or foraminal stenosis.
would this cause tingling in hands and numbness in the neck/ tightness?
report: lUMBAR SPINE mri READS : The axial images demonstrate a bulge at L4-L5 that effaces the thecal sac with a far left lateral greater component impinging upon the left neural foramen. There is also a bulge at L5-S1 effacing the thecal sac.
Another question pertaining to an MRI, these are the findings:
At C5-6 There is a mild disc bulge without cord deformity. There is no central canal stenosis or foraminal stenosis.
At C6-7 There is a mild disc bulge without cord deformity. There is no central canal stenosis or foraminal stenosis.
would this cause tingling in hands and numbness in the neck/ tightness?
Brief Answer:
Read below
Detailed Answer:
Regarding the first question, again as I've been saying those symptoms correspond to the compression of the L5 nerve root (at the impinged left foramen - the foramen is the canal where the nerve passes to leave the spine). The left L5 nerve extends from the back, down your bottom, lower left limb arriving to the dorsum of the foot, so its compression/impingement can cause numbness anywhere along this trajectory, justifies your symptoms.
The L5 - S1 bulge does not affect the foramen, there is no nerve compression, shouldn't contribute to your symptoms.
As for the neck part, those disc bulges can justify the neck tightness due to local inflammation. They do not justify the tingling of the hands as there is no mention of compression of the spinal cord or nerve roots.
Read below
Detailed Answer:
Regarding the first question, again as I've been saying those symptoms correspond to the compression of the L5 nerve root (at the impinged left foramen - the foramen is the canal where the nerve passes to leave the spine). The left L5 nerve extends from the back, down your bottom, lower left limb arriving to the dorsum of the foot, so its compression/impingement can cause numbness anywhere along this trajectory, justifies your symptoms.
The L5 - S1 bulge does not affect the foramen, there is no nerve compression, shouldn't contribute to your symptoms.
As for the neck part, those disc bulges can justify the neck tightness due to local inflammation. They do not justify the tingling of the hands as there is no mention of compression of the spinal cord or nerve roots.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you. You have been very helpful. How would I go about trying to figure out if a pinched nerve is causing the tingling / numbness in my hands? Is it true that mri's do not pick up pinched nerves? My emg came back negative, however my pinky often has decreased sensation on the left hand, when I use my hand too much. maybe I should have an mri of my thoracic spine? Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.
Brief Answer:
Read below.
Detailed Answer:
I am sorry for not being able to answer a little earlier.
MRIs are the best means for picking up pinched nerve. Even if the MRI report was equivocal and one was not sure the next test would be nerve conduction studies/electromyography, which yous say to have already done. That exam also would serve to detect another possible cause of tingling and numbness such as compression of a peripheral nerve (say in the elbow or wrist), so if properly done it excludes those.
What could cause the numbness...some metabolic alterations could, issues like electrolyte abnormalities (esp calcium, magnesium, potassium), thyroid dysfunction, vitamin B12 deficiency. Those can be investigated through blood tests.
Another alternative, a pretty common one, would be anxiety which is often related to such numbness and tingling sensations in the hands.
I see you have been inquiring about MS as well, the description you give is not typical for MS and the spinal MRI not detecting any lesions supports that as well, don't think you should fear that.
Wishing you good health.
Read below.
Detailed Answer:
I am sorry for not being able to answer a little earlier.
MRIs are the best means for picking up pinched nerve. Even if the MRI report was equivocal and one was not sure the next test would be nerve conduction studies/electromyography, which yous say to have already done. That exam also would serve to detect another possible cause of tingling and numbness such as compression of a peripheral nerve (say in the elbow or wrist), so if properly done it excludes those.
What could cause the numbness...some metabolic alterations could, issues like electrolyte abnormalities (esp calcium, magnesium, potassium), thyroid dysfunction, vitamin B12 deficiency. Those can be investigated through blood tests.
Another alternative, a pretty common one, would be anxiety which is often related to such numbness and tingling sensations in the hands.
I see you have been inquiring about MS as well, the description you give is not typical for MS and the spinal MRI not detecting any lesions supports that as well, don't think you should fear that.
Wishing you good health.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you. You have been very helpful. It's very frustrating when nobody seems to have an answer. I'm concerned it might be something serious they are not aware of and are not realizing it. The fact that I experienced something five years ago is what makes me question Ms or another serious disease.
Brief Answer:
Read below
Detailed Answer:
I am sorry about how you feel, I can only imagine what it feels not being provided a clear explanation for your symptoms.
I can assure you there is not any indication of any serious condition, the description especially of your lower left limb symptoms is definitely something related to peripheral nervous system, not brain or spinal cord (so not in favor of MS). You have done the correct exams for peripheral nervous system by MRI and EMG (I suppose nerve conduction studies as well as they are always done together) so you need not fear of a threatening issue.
I mean it certainly is not good to have spinal column issues at a young age, and you should do something about your weight and physical therapy to avoid more issues and pain problems in the future affecting your quality of life, but it's not a serious life-threatening condition.
Read below
Detailed Answer:
I am sorry about how you feel, I can only imagine what it feels not being provided a clear explanation for your symptoms.
I can assure you there is not any indication of any serious condition, the description especially of your lower left limb symptoms is definitely something related to peripheral nervous system, not brain or spinal cord (so not in favor of MS). You have done the correct exams for peripheral nervous system by MRI and EMG (I suppose nerve conduction studies as well as they are always done together) so you need not fear of a threatening issue.
I mean it certainly is not good to have spinal column issues at a young age, and you should do something about your weight and physical therapy to avoid more issues and pain problems in the future affecting your quality of life, but it's not a serious life-threatening condition.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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