Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with GoogleGet your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
MRI Of Lumbar Spine Done. What Does Findings Suggest?
I had an MRI at the end of Dec 2011 and then again this July 2013. The results are quite different (or so it appears to me), but they did note a comparison to Dec 2011 MRI. These are MRIs of the lumbar spine w/o contrast.
Dec 2011:
There is a transitional L5 vertebrae. The last squared off vertebral body will be labeled L5.
Moderate levoscoliosis.
Moderate degenerative disease at L4-L5 with dis desiccation, disc space narrowing, and degenerative retrolisthesis of L4 on L5.
At L4/L5: There is a posterior annular tear. There is a posterior disc bulge. There is a minimal right superimposed paracentral disc protrusion which extends inferior to the L5 vertebral body. No significant central canal stenosis or neural foraminal narrowing.
July 2013 (comparison: Dec 2011):
Lumbar alignment is anatomic
There is levoscolios of the mid lumbar spine. There is a transitional vertebral body with rudimentary disc at S1/S2.
At L5/S1 there is severe dis degeneration, mild endplate changes, mild bulging, severe degenerative changes of the right and moderate degenerative changes of the left facet with moderate left and mild right foraminal stenosis. There is no herniation.
A little more history:
I've had chronic lower back pain for years (no known source of specific injury). Scoliosis, S shaped, 27 and 24 degrees (I don't have the paper handy with any more details on the scoliosis). I have had root blocks, epidurals and facet joint injections. I tolerated the root blocks and epidurals (not fun or comfortable by any means, but I could tolerate them)...when I had the facet joint injections, it was a #10 pain, I was literally shaking, sobbing crying, with yelps of pain, it was terrible and I will never do that again as they cannot put me to sleep for that procedure. Lastly, I did not have leg pain in 2011, but I have been having a lot of leg pain now, I'd say 70% of the time I have leg pain, it doesn't matter if I'm laying, sitting, standing, or putting pressure on my leg, it hurts.
I am curious as to why I could tolerate the other injections, but there was such a drastic pain difference in the facet joint injections.
I am also curious if it is normal for there to be all those problems at L4/L5 last year with no mention of L5/S1 problems and now a year later there is no mention of L4/L5, but a lot of issues at L5/S1... Is this normal? Would it be assumed that any of the previous MRI comparison is still existing, unless otherwise noted. It just seems odd to see such different MRIs (but maybe it's normal, I'm not a DR).
What I have been reading only is that a laminectomy with a spinal infusion could be a very viable option, especially given that I am having leg pain (I got for an emg on 07 August).
Any inputs, suggestions, opinions, etc would be very appreciated as it will also help me in my discussions with future doctors appointments, to ask the right questions and make sure everything is covered. I am 34.
Thanks so much, Kristen
Dec 2011:
There is a transitional L5 vertebrae. The last squared off vertebral body will be labeled L5.
Moderate levoscoliosis.
Moderate degenerative disease at L4-L5 with dis desiccation, disc space narrowing, and degenerative retrolisthesis of L4 on L5.
At L4/L5: There is a posterior annular tear. There is a posterior disc bulge. There is a minimal right superimposed paracentral disc protrusion which extends inferior to the L5 vertebral body. No significant central canal stenosis or neural foraminal narrowing.
July 2013 (comparison: Dec 2011):
Lumbar alignment is anatomic
There is levoscolios of the mid lumbar spine. There is a transitional vertebral body with rudimentary disc at S1/S2.
At L5/S1 there is severe dis degeneration, mild endplate changes, mild bulging, severe degenerative changes of the right and moderate degenerative changes of the left facet with moderate left and mild right foraminal stenosis. There is no herniation.
A little more history:
I've had chronic lower back pain for years (no known source of specific injury). Scoliosis, S shaped, 27 and 24 degrees (I don't have the paper handy with any more details on the scoliosis). I have had root blocks, epidurals and facet joint injections. I tolerated the root blocks and epidurals (not fun or comfortable by any means, but I could tolerate them)...when I had the facet joint injections, it was a #10 pain, I was literally shaking, sobbing crying, with yelps of pain, it was terrible and I will never do that again as they cannot put me to sleep for that procedure. Lastly, I did not have leg pain in 2011, but I have been having a lot of leg pain now, I'd say 70% of the time I have leg pain, it doesn't matter if I'm laying, sitting, standing, or putting pressure on my leg, it hurts.
I am curious as to why I could tolerate the other injections, but there was such a drastic pain difference in the facet joint injections.
I am also curious if it is normal for there to be all those problems at L4/L5 last year with no mention of L5/S1 problems and now a year later there is no mention of L4/L5, but a lot of issues at L5/S1... Is this normal? Would it be assumed that any of the previous MRI comparison is still existing, unless otherwise noted. It just seems odd to see such different MRIs (but maybe it's normal, I'm not a DR).
What I have been reading only is that a laminectomy with a spinal infusion could be a very viable option, especially given that I am having leg pain (I got for an emg on 07 August).
Any inputs, suggestions, opinions, etc would be very appreciated as it will also help me in my discussions with future doctors appointments, to ask the right questions and make sure everything is covered. I am 34.
Thanks so much, Kristen
Mon, 5 Aug 2013
Hi Kristen, thanks for writing to HCM.
It is normal to have MRI reports depicting different results when taken over different periods of time. This is because of that fact that the disc protrusions tend to regress at times showing normal picture.
The continuous leg pain is indicative of severe compression of the nerve root by the hypertrophied facet joint or the lumbar disc. Generally an EPIDURAL STEROID injection will give very good results. Also, Conservative management may not work for you as you have the symptoms for a long time.
If you don't find any response, then a lumbar discectomy is indicated for you.
Hope this information is helpful . Good day
It is normal to have MRI reports depicting different results when taken over different periods of time. This is because of that fact that the disc protrusions tend to regress at times showing normal picture.
The continuous leg pain is indicative of severe compression of the nerve root by the hypertrophied facet joint or the lumbar disc. Generally an EPIDURAL STEROID injection will give very good results. Also, Conservative management may not work for you as you have the symptoms for a long time.
If you don't find any response, then a lumbar discectomy is indicated for you.
Hope this information is helpful . Good day
I find this answer helpful
1 Doctor agrees with this answer
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer.
For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service
[Sample answer]
Related questions you may be interested in
Recent questions on Body of vertebra
Loading Online Doctors....