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What Does My MRI Scan Report Indicate?
Question: One of my relative, F,28 yrs old ,walking with a limp (dragging left foot ) for last 6 months initially associated with some pain in knee and calf region and back pain ,before that she was okay except had a history minor trauma on knee previously and also occasional evening headache, transient vertigo and low bp .
She did MRI LS SPINE -L4-L5, L5-S1 disc bulge with some nerve compression and NCS - LT sided some peroneal nerve neuropathy and was treated with steroids, multivitamins. Then orthopaedician advised for local injection over knee gastrocnemius bursa, pain killers and physiotherapy .
Then pain got vanished and she did intermittent physiotherapy also but still she is dragging her left foot, repeat NCS-same,gait is variable not of specific pattern, not a known diabetic, power grade 4 on left leg. Now whether to do an Brain MRI or not?
Thanks
Dr RITWIK XXXXXXX
She did MRI LS SPINE -L4-L5, L5-S1 disc bulge with some nerve compression and NCS - LT sided some peroneal nerve neuropathy and was treated with steroids, multivitamins. Then orthopaedician advised for local injection over knee gastrocnemius bursa, pain killers and physiotherapy .
Then pain got vanished and she did intermittent physiotherapy also but still she is dragging her left foot, repeat NCS-same,gait is variable not of specific pattern, not a known diabetic, power grade 4 on left leg. Now whether to do an Brain MRI or not?
Thanks
Dr RITWIK XXXXXXX
Brief Answer:
MRI brain not needed
Detailed Answer:
Hi Dr Ritwik,
I have gone through your question and understand your concerns.
Injury to the knee region can lead to injury or compression of the common peroneal nerve, which can cause neuropathy and weakness in the lower limb.
As the injury and swelling around the knee will heal, the nerve is likely to recover from the injury and regain its normal function.
MRI brain is not indicated in this case, so there is no need to get it done as it will neither help in diagnosis or treatment.
Nerve conduction velocity test (NCV) should be done to assess the severity of nerve dysfunction.
Physiotherapy should be continued and treatment of any swelling around the knee should be properly done.
Hope you found the answer helpful. Please do get back for further queries.
Wishing you good health.
Regards
Dr Neeraj Kumar
Neurologist
MRI brain not needed
Detailed Answer:
Hi Dr Ritwik,
I have gone through your question and understand your concerns.
Injury to the knee region can lead to injury or compression of the common peroneal nerve, which can cause neuropathy and weakness in the lower limb.
As the injury and swelling around the knee will heal, the nerve is likely to recover from the injury and regain its normal function.
MRI brain is not indicated in this case, so there is no need to get it done as it will neither help in diagnosis or treatment.
Nerve conduction velocity test (NCV) should be done to assess the severity of nerve dysfunction.
Physiotherapy should be continued and treatment of any swelling around the knee should be properly done.
Hope you found the answer helpful. Please do get back for further queries.
Wishing you good health.
Regards
Dr Neeraj Kumar
Neurologist
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Sonia Raina
Actually injury was fall on ground over knees that also few months before the onset not that significant, knee MRI showed grade 1 injury only (3 months ago)
Currently no swelling or external signs over knee.
She also complaints of some strain left lower back while trying to walk normally. I was wondering whether anything is sitting on the rt side of brain though no other cortical signs.
Currently no swelling or external signs over knee.
She also complaints of some strain left lower back while trying to walk normally. I was wondering whether anything is sitting on the rt side of brain though no other cortical signs.
Brief Answer:
Less possibility of brain involvement
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
In absence of any cortical signs and evidence of neuropathy in Ncv it is highly unlikely to be related to brain.
Was ncs done of all 4 limbs. Any evidence of nerve thickening, skin lesions.,toxin exposure like lead or drug intake.
If you are very concerned then you can get a brain imaging done?
Focus to find the cause of foot drop?
Attach any reports if available.
Regards
Dr N Kumar
Neurologist
Less possibility of brain involvement
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
In absence of any cortical signs and evidence of neuropathy in Ncv it is highly unlikely to be related to brain.
Was ncs done of all 4 limbs. Any evidence of nerve thickening, skin lesions.,toxin exposure like lead or drug intake.
If you are very concerned then you can get a brain imaging done?
Focus to find the cause of foot drop?
Attach any reports if available.
Regards
Dr N Kumar
Neurologist
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
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