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Dr. Andrew Rynne
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Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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MRI On L1-L2 Shows Disc Desiccation With Symmetrical Disc Bulging. Meaning?

mri on L1-L2 showed disc desiccation with symmetrical disc bulging ,. Epidural rim enhancing low T1 and T2 signal extruded probable free disc fragment extending superiorly posterior to L1 vertebral body measuring apporimately 2.7 cm craniocaug=dal x 1.2 AP x 1.1 cm transverse obliterating the left laterla recess and cuasing left traversing nerve impingment,. Second mild canal senosis and left nerve root entry some stenosis. what does this mean
Thu, 4 Apr 2013
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Radiologist 's  Response
Hi, welcome to HCM
Intervertebral disc between L1-L2 vertebra has suffered damage. It is degenerative damage. As disc age advances disc loses its water content and spread in circumferential manner, it is known as diffuse disc bulge. One of it's fragment is broken and migrated upward known as extruded disc.
That fragment is causing compression oforigin of nerves which is responsible for your symptoms.

Hope I have answered your query.

Regards.
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Radiologist Dr. Muhammad Shoyab's  Response
Welcome to HCM. I do realise your anxiety about your report and diagnosis.

The findings of the MRI are a bit serious and you must pay attention to the advice of your surgeon.

You'd probably already know that our spine consists of vertebral bones and cartilaginous disks. The hard bones provide the spine with strength, while the more flexible cartliaginous component (i.e. disks) provide the spine with agility and flexibility for movement. Sometimes, a disks can be broken or displaced. Such a displaced or broken disk can then very easily compress the spinal cord or the nerves that branch out from, interfering in the normal functioning of these nerves, leading to an array of symptoms including pain, numbness, tingling, etc.

This is what has happened in your case, and, unfortunately, it has happened in rather a bad way. Part of a disk (called the "L1-L2" disk) has broken and the fragment is now lodged at some distance from its original location. Quite expectedly, it's pressing upon the spinal cord and adjacent nerves. The fragment cannot be called "small" in the context of the spinal canal, and the worrying point is that, since it has broken away from its parent disk, it does not have a blood supply and so will soon "rot". That will cause significant harm.

So, you should quickly consult a spine surgeon / neurosurgeon / orthopaedic surgeon who deals with this kind of problems and follow their advice. I think they will suggest surgical removal of the broken fragment. That operation has to be done under general anaesthesia (G/A) in most cases, so you will not feel any pain at all. After that, you may have to follow the advice of a physiotherapist.

I hope the matter is clarified to you and you now know what you have to do. If you have further queries, I'd be too glad to answer — just click "ask me a question" above.
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Internal Medicine Specialist Dr. omz's  Response
hi
with age your back vertebra become weak especially the jelly foam in between the ....loike shocks of a car
with age or due to professional reasons....your vertebral canal shortens...pressing jelly out and pressing on important nerves.....and internally presssing on to your vital sinal cord.....
so if reflexes are fine medical treatment can be given...if high reflexes spinal cord surgeon should be consulted
take care
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MRI On L1-L2 Shows Disc Desiccation With Symmetrical Disc Bulging. Meaning?

Hi, welcome to HCM Intervertebral disc between L1-L2 vertebra has suffered damage. It is degenerative damage. As disc age advances disc loses its water content and spread in circumferential manner, it is known as diffuse disc bulge. One of it s fragment is broken and migrated upward known as extruded disc. That fragment is causing compression oforigin of nerves which is responsible for your symptoms. Hope I have answered your query. Regards.