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What Does Broad-based Disc Protrusion, Eccentric To The Right And Uncovertebral Hypertrophy Causing Mild Foraminal Narrowing Mean In An MRI Spine Scan?
Question: I had a MRI and will not have my follow up visit to the VA till the end of September. Just wanting to know what this means.
FINDINGS: Skull base and craniocervical junction are unremarkable. Mild loss of normal lordotic curvature. Vertebral body height and alignment are otherwise maintained. There is disc desiccation and height loss C2-C5 with spurring C3-4. Other notable findings by level are as follows:
C2-3: Disc bulge.
C3-4: Broad-based disc protrusion, eccentric to the left. No canal stenosis. Uncovertebral hypertrophy causes mild left foraminal narrowing.
C4-5: Left paracentral disc protrusion with annular fissure contacts the cord. No canal stenosis. Uncovertebral hypertrophy causes mild left foraminal narrowing.
C5-6: Left paracentral disc protrusion. No canal stenosis. Uncovertebral hypertrophy and facet degeneration cause severe left foraminal narrowing.
C6-7: Broad-based disc protrusion, eccentric to the right. No canal stenosis. Uncovertebral hypertrophy causes mild foraminal narrowing.
C7-T1: Unremarkable.
FINDINGS: Skull base and craniocervical junction are unremarkable. Mild loss of normal lordotic curvature. Vertebral body height and alignment are otherwise maintained. There is disc desiccation and height loss C2-C5 with spurring C3-4. Other notable findings by level are as follows:
C2-3: Disc bulge.
C3-4: Broad-based disc protrusion, eccentric to the left. No canal stenosis. Uncovertebral hypertrophy causes mild left foraminal narrowing.
C4-5: Left paracentral disc protrusion with annular fissure contacts the cord. No canal stenosis. Uncovertebral hypertrophy causes mild left foraminal narrowing.
C5-6: Left paracentral disc protrusion. No canal stenosis. Uncovertebral hypertrophy and facet degeneration cause severe left foraminal narrowing.
C6-7: Broad-based disc protrusion, eccentric to the right. No canal stenosis. Uncovertebral hypertrophy causes mild foraminal narrowing.
C7-T1: Unremarkable.
Brief Answer:
Degenerative spine disease.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
These MRI findings of your cervical spine are consistent with degenerative spine disease mild to moderate in most of the levels (cervical spondylosis).
At the left C6-C7 level the C7 nerve root seems to be compressed / pinched severely.
If the main symptoms arise from this pinched / compressed C7 nerve root, surgery (decompression, or foraminotomy) may be necessary.
Other degenerative changes (discs desiccation, protrusions, mild hypertrophic changes and bone spurs) may be treated and improved by physical therapy and NSAID drugs use, but after the decompression of the C7 nerve root.
Anyway, you should see a neurosurgeon / spine specialist who can correlate between your symptoms, MRI findings and the necessity of the surgery.
Hope you found the answer helpful. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Take care.
Regards
Degenerative spine disease.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
These MRI findings of your cervical spine are consistent with degenerative spine disease mild to moderate in most of the levels (cervical spondylosis).
At the left C6-C7 level the C7 nerve root seems to be compressed / pinched severely.
If the main symptoms arise from this pinched / compressed C7 nerve root, surgery (decompression, or foraminotomy) may be necessary.
Other degenerative changes (discs desiccation, protrusions, mild hypertrophic changes and bone spurs) may be treated and improved by physical therapy and NSAID drugs use, but after the decompression of the C7 nerve root.
Anyway, you should see a neurosurgeon / spine specialist who can correlate between your symptoms, MRI findings and the necessity of the surgery.
Hope you found the answer helpful. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Take care.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
Answered by
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