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
Results Of An MRI Said Extruded/sequestered Disc Right Paracentral, Foraminal Encroachment. Meaning?
Hi!
I just received the results of an MRI - extruded/sequestered disc right paracentral in location extending cephalad at the L5-S1 level with mass effect and displacement of the traversing right S1 nerve root and mild bilateral neural foraminal encroachment at this level related to combination of facet arthropathy and ligamentum flavum hypertrophy...... Here's what I think I understand about the information I was provided: I have a ruptured/uncontained disc, meaning it separated completely from the disc structure. The material is affecting a nerve root, which would likely be causing the pain in my right cheek and down my right leg. Is there anything else I need to understand to be educated when I see the neurosurgeon in two days? I don't understand the significance of "mass effect and displacement" or "facet anthropathy and ligamentum flavum hypertrophy". Can you help educate me? Thanks so much.
Kristin, WI
I just received the results of an MRI - extruded/sequestered disc right paracentral in location extending cephalad at the L5-S1 level with mass effect and displacement of the traversing right S1 nerve root and mild bilateral neural foraminal encroachment at this level related to combination of facet arthropathy and ligamentum flavum hypertrophy...... Here's what I think I understand about the information I was provided: I have a ruptured/uncontained disc, meaning it separated completely from the disc structure. The material is affecting a nerve root, which would likely be causing the pain in my right cheek and down my right leg. Is there anything else I need to understand to be educated when I see the neurosurgeon in two days? I don't understand the significance of "mass effect and displacement" or "facet anthropathy and ligamentum flavum hypertrophy". Can you help educate me? Thanks so much.
Kristin, WI
Sat, 25 May 2013
User's Response
Dr. Ali Ismayilov,
Radiologist's Response
Radiologist's Response
Hi,
You are very well educated because you really understood the most important part of the report and did it correctly! That is great!
Now, about facet arthropathy and ligamentum flavum hypertrophy.
Vertebral bodies are interconnected with joints that provide mobility to the whole vertebral column. These joints are called facet joints.
As to ligamentum flavum, these are small ligaments that run between the laminae (i.e. posterior elements) of the vertebral bodies. These ligaments are flat and comprise part of the wall of the spinal canal (I presume you know that the spinal canal is where the spinal cord is located).
Facet arthropathy is more or less the same as arthritis in any other joint (e.g. knee, hip etc).
Ligamentum flavum hypertrophy means thickening of ligamentum flavum. When this happens, the spinal canal gets somewhat narrower. This, in turn, may compress the spinal cord and is one of the reasons for back pain.
That is basically it.
Hope this helps.
Kind regards,
You are very well educated because you really understood the most important part of the report and did it correctly! That is great!
Now, about facet arthropathy and ligamentum flavum hypertrophy.
Vertebral bodies are interconnected with joints that provide mobility to the whole vertebral column. These joints are called facet joints.
As to ligamentum flavum, these are small ligaments that run between the laminae (i.e. posterior elements) of the vertebral bodies. These ligaments are flat and comprise part of the wall of the spinal canal (I presume you know that the spinal canal is where the spinal cord is located).
Facet arthropathy is more or less the same as arthritis in any other joint (e.g. knee, hip etc).
Ligamentum flavum hypertrophy means thickening of ligamentum flavum. When this happens, the spinal canal gets somewhat narrower. This, in turn, may compress the spinal cord and is one of the reasons for back pain.
That is basically it.
Hope this helps.
Kind regards,
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 Foraminal encroachment
Loading Online Doctors....