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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Scan Shows Degnerative Changes, Bulging Disc, Facet Hypertrophy. Meaning?

The most significant degenerative changes are present at the left L5/S1 facet,with large osteophytes, moderately narrowing the left neural for amen at this level Moderate degenerative disc changes are also present at the three lower, most lumbar levels, with the combination for disc bulging and osteophytes, compressing the ventral surfaces of the thecal sac mildly. That was the impression bye the doctor don t know what that all means? The rest was the L3/4 there is disc inter space narrowing, with vacuum phenomenon and moderate marginal osteophytes and disc bulging. This end plate disease mildly compresses the ventral surface of the thecal sac. Mild bilateral facet hypertrophy is present At L4/5 there is disc bulging, resulting in mild compression upon the thecal sac. The endplate osteophytes mildly extend into the neural foreamen bilaterally . At L5/s1 there is mild broad- based annular disc bulging present at this level. There is mild right and severe left sided degenerative bony facet hypertrophy . On the left side, there is sclerosis, vacuum phenomenon and osteophytes . This facet disease on the left side mildly compresses the left lateral recess , with moderate narrowing of the left neural foramen . Again don t understand all of it and what it all means
Tue, 10 Sep 2013
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Radiologist 's  Response
Hello
Thanks for writing to HCM

Your MRI report suggests that you have degenerative disease of spine in the form of osteophytes and bulged intervertebral disc.
Osteophytes form due to chronic stress on annulus fibrosis.
Facet joints are bony attachments between two vertebra and it also shows degenerative changes.
At L5-S1 level, osteophyte is causing compression of neural foramen in left side.
Osteophytes and bulged disc is causing compression of thecal sacs(covering of spinal cord and meninges).
Vacuum phenomenon is also related to degenerative disease of spine.
At L4-5 level, osteophytes is encroaching to neural foramen in both sides.
Hope you have understand the terms.
Get well soon.

Take Care
Dr.Indu Bhushan
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Scan Shows Degnerative Changes, Bulging Disc, Facet Hypertrophy. Meaning?

Hello Thanks for writing to HCM Your MRI report suggests that you have degenerative disease of spine in the form of osteophytes and bulged intervertebral disc. Osteophytes form due to chronic stress on annulus fibrosis. Facet joints are bony attachments between two vertebra and it also shows degenerative changes. At L5-S1 level, osteophyte is causing compression of neural foramen in left side. Osteophytes and bulged disc is causing compression of thecal sacs(covering of spinal cord and meninges). Vacuum phenomenon is also related to degenerative disease of spine. At L4-5 level, osteophytes is encroaching to neural foramen in both sides. Hope you have understand the terms. Get well soon. Take Care Dr.Indu Bhushan