About B. Love AS, R.T.(R) (ARRT) Expertise Answer - any questions concerning radiographic (X-Ray) positioning, exam expectations, procedural concerns, effects of radiation, as well as other modalities such as CT, and MRI.
Experience I have over 15 years of experience in X-ray, as well as several years of teaching radiographic examinations and positioning, anatomy pathology, etc.
Organizations American Registry of Radiologic Technologist (ARRT)
American Society of Radiologic Technologist (ASRT)
Education/Credentials As of the end of 2008 I will be certified for MRI as well as completing my Bachelors of Science in Radiographic Sciences (BSRS)degree. Currently I hold an Associates degree in Radiological Sciences from Kent State University in Ohio. I am a registered Radiographer in Ohio and Florida and certified by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologist (ARRT).
Expert: B. Love AS, R.T.(R) (ARRT) Date: 6/27/2008 Subject: MRI Results
Question I have been having back pain for a while now so I had an MRI done last week but I don't know what it means.
Can someone please translate my results for me?
Histoty: Pain.
MRI Lumbar Spine Without Contrast:
MRI of the lunrbcsacral spine was performed on a 1.5 Tesla magnet using sagittal T2, sagittal proton density, sagittal TI, and axial T2 sequences.
Findings: Lumbosacral vertebral alignment is normal, There is no bony edema, compression
deformity, or listhesis.
At L1-L2, there is mild anterior and posterior disc bulging. There is no central spinal or
neuroforaminal canal encroachment.
At L2-L3, the disc is normal in signal and there is no bulge. There is no canal compromise.
At L3-L4, there is a mild amount of anterior broad-based disc bulging. There is no central
spinal or neuroforaminal canal encroachment.
At L4-L5, there is mild disc desiccation. There is no central spinal or neuroforaminal canal
encroachment,
At L5-S1, there is disc degeneration with broad-based posterior disc bulging. There is facet
arthropathy. The central spinal canal is preserved. There is mild bilateral neuroforarninal
canal encroachment.
Conclusion:
1. Disc degenerative changes, particularly at L5-Sl and L1-L2,
2. There is mild bilateral neuroforaminal canal encroachment at L5-S1, mostly due to facet joint hypertrophic disease,
MRI Cervical Spine Without Contrast:
Technique: MRI of the cervical spine was performed on a L5 Tesla magnet using sagittal T2,
sagittal Ti, and axial T2 gradient-echo sequences.
Findings: The cervical vertebral alignment is normal. There is no bone marrow edema, fracture or listhesis, Intervertebral discs at C2-C3 and C3-C4 are normal.
At C4-C5, there is a small central disc protrusion in the midline posteriorly which does
slightly efface the ventral thecal sac. The neuroforaminal are patent.
At C5-C6 there is disc-osteophyte bulging with broad-based effacement of the ventral thecal sac. The neuroforaminal are patent bilaterally.
At C6-C7, there is mild disc degeneration without central canal stenosis. There is uncinate spurring on the left causing mild neuroforaminal canal narrowing.
The cervical spinal cord is normal in signal intensity, There is no cerebellar tonsillar
ectopia There is a small cyst in the occipital bone posteriorly in the midline.
Conclusion: Disc degeneration with broad-based disc-osteophyte bulging at C4-C5, C5-C6, and C6-C7.
Also at this level you have a slight narrowing of the opening between vertebra where the nerves exit to go to the rest of the body...this may cause some symptoms of pain/weakness etc.
Cervical: Three out of six intervertebral disc in your neck have a bulge which may aggravate the neural fibers resulting in the symptoms I described above.
