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What Does My MRI Scan Test Report Of My Cervical Spine Indicate?
Question: I recently had an MRI done of my cervical spine and here are the Impressions written on the report.
1. Stable MRI of the cervical spine.
2. Stable syringohydromyelia of the cervical cord at the c4/5 level.
3. Stable anterior cervical fusion at the c4-c7 levels.
4. Stable moderate anterior left central canal narrowing at the c3/4 secondary to the cervical reversal of curvature and left central eccentric broad based posterior disc osterophyte complex.
5. Stable bilateral neural foraminal narrowing at c3/4 which is moderate/severe on the right and severe on the left.
Also to note for your information under findings on the same mri
There is a focus of high T2 and low T1 signal intensity in the cervical cord at the c4/5 level. This is consistent with a focal area of syringohydromyelia/myelomalacia. AT this location the cord is thinned in appearance. Trying to understand the significance.
1. Stable MRI of the cervical spine.
2. Stable syringohydromyelia of the cervical cord at the c4/5 level.
3. Stable anterior cervical fusion at the c4-c7 levels.
4. Stable moderate anterior left central canal narrowing at the c3/4 secondary to the cervical reversal of curvature and left central eccentric broad based posterior disc osterophyte complex.
5. Stable bilateral neural foraminal narrowing at c3/4 which is moderate/severe on the right and severe on the left.
Also to note for your information under findings on the same mri
There is a focus of high T2 and low T1 signal intensity in the cervical cord at the c4/5 level. This is consistent with a focal area of syringohydromyelia/myelomalacia. AT this location the cord is thinned in appearance. Trying to understand the significance.
Brief Answer:
You need to discuss with a neurosurgeon and neurologist as a team
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for writing in to us.
I have read through your query in detail.
Please find my observations below.
1. Syringohydromyelia is a condition where there is splitting of the spinal cord with fluid within. This change is present in the cervical spinal cord in you and is at the C 4 C 5 level.
2. There is mention of fusion of bones in the spine at levels C 4 to C 7 and this is stable in nature. There is no immediate concern arising from this.
3. There is degenerative changes at C 3 C 4 levels with narrowing of the passage through which fluid runs in the spinal cord (the central canal) on the left side. There is significant nerve root pinching at C 3 C 4 level which is severe on the right side and moderate on the left side.
Points 1 through 3 are mentioned as stable and were probably found on earlier scans.
4. The focus of high T2 and low T1 in the cord at C 4 C 5 level is an area where the spinal cord is softened probably due to long standing pressure over it. This is causing thinning of the spinal cord at this level. I guess this is an observation on the recent MRI and was not seen earlier. Please correct me if I am wrong.
5. It is possible that you are having new symptoms from continuing degenerative changes of the spinal cord. The points 1 through 3 show that the earlier changes are stable. However, changes in the spinal cord in point 4 appear recent in nature. This requires to be discussed with your neurosurgeon and a neurologist as a team.
Hope your query is answered.
Please write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
You need to discuss with a neurosurgeon and neurologist as a team
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for writing in to us.
I have read through your query in detail.
Please find my observations below.
1. Syringohydromyelia is a condition where there is splitting of the spinal cord with fluid within. This change is present in the cervical spinal cord in you and is at the C 4 C 5 level.
2. There is mention of fusion of bones in the spine at levels C 4 to C 7 and this is stable in nature. There is no immediate concern arising from this.
3. There is degenerative changes at C 3 C 4 levels with narrowing of the passage through which fluid runs in the spinal cord (the central canal) on the left side. There is significant nerve root pinching at C 3 C 4 level which is severe on the right side and moderate on the left side.
Points 1 through 3 are mentioned as stable and were probably found on earlier scans.
4. The focus of high T2 and low T1 in the cord at C 4 C 5 level is an area where the spinal cord is softened probably due to long standing pressure over it. This is causing thinning of the spinal cord at this level. I guess this is an observation on the recent MRI and was not seen earlier. Please correct me if I am wrong.
5. It is possible that you are having new symptoms from continuing degenerative changes of the spinal cord. The points 1 through 3 show that the earlier changes are stable. However, changes in the spinal cord in point 4 appear recent in nature. This requires to be discussed with your neurosurgeon and a neurologist as a team.
Hope your query is answered.
Please write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you for your answer: My follow up question is in regards to the type of doctor. I have been under the care of a neurologist and neurosurgeon from my past surgeries in 2010 and 2011, however due to the most recent increase of problematic symptoms, I would like to get a second opinion. I have researched much in the XXXXXXX Ga area where I live and there are many Orthopedic Surgeons and Physiatrists, that specialize in spinal injury specifically the cervical region. The question is should I consult with specialized Orthopedic surgeons/spine centers or stay with the neurology side based on my most recent mri findings that I showed you.
Brief Answer:
The neurology based treatment is comprehensive
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for writing back with an update.
1. In your case it is suggested to continue with the neurology side. The reason for my suggestion is that the orthopedic surgeon is well trained in treating problems with the structure of the spine and the neurosurgeon is specialized in treating cord and nerve disorders. Therefore the neurosurgeon will evaluate in a comprehensive method. You have mentioned that the earlier surgery has been done by the neurosurgeon, therefore reporting back to the same team will help decide the most suitable treatment for your cord compression.
Hope your query is answered.
Please write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
The neurology based treatment is comprehensive
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for writing back with an update.
1. In your case it is suggested to continue with the neurology side. The reason for my suggestion is that the orthopedic surgeon is well trained in treating problems with the structure of the spine and the neurosurgeon is specialized in treating cord and nerve disorders. Therefore the neurosurgeon will evaluate in a comprehensive method. You have mentioned that the earlier surgery has been done by the neurosurgeon, therefore reporting back to the same team will help decide the most suitable treatment for your cord compression.
Hope your query is answered.
Please write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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