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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Lower Back Pain. Abnormal L4 And L5 Discs. MRI Shows Dark Spot On Spine. What Could This Be?

For the last several months, I have been having lower dack pain . I went to the doctor and he sceduled me to have an MRI . He told me my L4 and L5 disc were abnormal. He sent me to a neuro specialist, which when he read the MRI, He started I had a dark spot on my spine near the affected disc.. I now have to take a bone scan and I an extemely anxious about what this could be. What do you think?
Sat, 23 Feb 2013
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Hi and thanks fort the question,
the dark spot could indicate a variety of abnormalities. These could range from artifacts, things that do not really exist to tumours. Itis therefore interesting to do an ESR frist. A very high ESR or erythrocyte sedimentation rate could suggest further investigations for spinal TB. Then blood calcium levels, alkaline phosphatase. Elevated values for these enzymes indicate a bone tumour.
An abdominal ultrasound and CT scan and a chest X ray could be important in ruling out any existent or spread tumour.
I suggest a consultation with an internist first or a neurosurgeon for further investigations,
Thanks and best regards,
Luchuo, MD.
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Lower Back Pain. Abnormal L4 And L5 Discs. MRI Shows Dark Spot On Spine. What Could This Be?

Hi and thanks fort the question, the dark spot could indicate a variety of abnormalities. These could range from artifacts, things that do not really exist to tumours. Itis therefore interesting to do an ESR frist. A very high ESR or erythrocyte sedimentation rate could suggest further investigations for spinal TB. Then blood calcium levels, alkaline phosphatase. Elevated values for these enzymes indicate a bone tumour. An abdominal ultrasound and CT scan and a chest X ray could be important in ruling out any existent or spread tumour. I suggest a consultation with an internist first or a neurosurgeon for further investigations, Thanks and best regards, Luchuo, MD.