Hi there,
I am hoping for some insight into my situation and even some advice on my MRI results. I had ACDF surgery (C5-6/6-7) in Feb 2102. My neurosurgeon stated that there were other cervical levels showing concern which most likely would require additional surgery but that only 2 levels would be fused hoping to alleviate most of the symptoms.
Here I am 2 years later with pain and symptoms that are actually worse than before surgery.There was a brief time frame after my MRI in 2/13 which per my surgeon showed nothing wrong, that I somehow chose not to acknowledge the symptoms - kinda mind over matter. That way of dealing with the pain only worked for so long. The pain is now becoming debilitating and having a very negative impact on my life. I am an otherwise healthy 31 year old female.
I had a recent MRI showing a disc bulging at c2-3 and c3-4- grade 2. This report states that there does not appear to be cord impingement at either level. C6-7 shows "Uncinate spurring"
Here is the info: MRI 1/2014
C3-C4: Grade 1 diffuse bulging disc/marginal osteophyte complex, with left greater than right facet hypertrophy. No significant cord impingement or central canal compromise. Mild left foraminal narrowing without definite neural compromise.
C3-C4: Grade 1 diffuse bulging disc/marginal osteophyte complex, with left greater than right facet hypertrophy. No significant cord impingement or central canal compromise. Mild left foraminal narrowing without definite neural compromise.
IMPRESSION: 1. Stable appearance of the cervical spine compared with the previous examination. 2. Status post anterior cervical decompression with fusion C5-6 and C6-7 with fixation hardware in place and no interval change at these levels. There remains mild to moderate foraminal narrowing bilaterally at C6-7. 3. Redemonstration of slight retrolisthesis C4 on C5, but without significant stenosis or foraminal narrowing. 4. Mild unchanged left foraminal narrowing at C3-4. Associated left-sided facet hypertrophy at C3-4 and C2-3.[/I]Also identified a cystic mass: Visualized paraspinous structures: There is a cystic structure involving the floor of the mouth in the midline anteriorly, possibly representing a thyroglossal duct cyst but not completely characterized by this study

My previous MRI from Feb 2013 shows
C3-4 Minor diffuse bulging disc and facet disease producing left foraminal stenosis.
C4-5 Diffuse grade 1 bulging disc produces mild spinal stenosis with residual canal diameter of 8-8.5mm. A borderline and mild left foraminal stenosis is associated.
C5-6 Anterior plate and screw fixation and mild right unicate hypertrophy produces a mild right foraminal stenosis.
C6-7 Anterior plate screw fixation and mild unicate hypertrophy produces bilateral foraminal stenosis. Spinal canal is mildly narrowed with residual central canal diameter or 9mm.
Findings: Sagittal scans demonstrate interval interbody susion with anterior plate and screw fixation c5-6 and c6-7 associated with resolution of spinal stenosis at these levels. There is interval appearance of a grade 1 retrolisthesus at c4-5 associated with mild kyphotic deformity associated with grade 1 bulging disc producing spinal stenosis. Diffuse bulding disc is present at c3-4 without significant stenosis. Mild multilevel facet disease and minor unicate hypertrophy is again noted. Relatively congenitally short pedicles are noted throughout the spine producing congenital spinal stenosis. Oblique sagittal foraminal scans demonstrate unicate hypertrophy and mild facet disease producing mild left C3-4, right C5-6 and bilateral C6-7 foraminal stenosis.

Again... my surgeon's response to the findings per his MA is that everything on the MRI looks great! He would not allow me to schedule an appointment with him. I explained again how I am feeling... and asked why there are persistent symptoms, yet nothing is wrong? I was told that she would ask him to call me. I have yet to hear from him. Now I am no Dr… but it appears to me that I am not dreaming up the issues associated with my neck. This is the same surgeon that explained a potential need for future surgery. There was no mention or advisement regarding the mass identified in the MRI.
MRI 11/2011
C3-4 Central disc bulging effacing the ventral aspect of the thecal sac with contact of the cord noted. Findings are slightly more evident than on the prior examination (yes I had an MRI in 2/2010)
C4-5 Disc bulging slightly asymmetrical to the left is again seen. Contact of the cord without distortion is seen. Findings are slightly increased since the prior examination. Minimal bilateral neural foraminal compromise persists.
I have done everything suggested by my GP - injections, PT, heat/ice, rest, meditation etc. You name it and most likely I have tried it. I am somewhat losing hope that I will ever come back from this. My symptoms include pain and numbness that radiates down my arm, the top part of my back and up the base of my skull. My employer and parents seem to think that I am malingering and that I need to just suck it up. I realize that my situation could always be worse and I am fortunate that I am otherwise relatively healthy but the pain and numbness have become unmanageable, especially since I choose to not use narcotics.

Is there anyone that can provide me with feedback on my MRI findings and response from my surgeon? If the results are in fact normal- then perhaps there is something else going on.

Does anyone know what impact ACFD surgery has to the cervical levels above and below the fusion? I also wondering if it is possible to have inconsistent findings on MRI's and the reasoning (other than different radiologist interpretation) with one of my MRI's showing disc compression being evident at C3-4 and C5-6 and then another MRI showing no cord compression.
Thank you and my apologies for the long entry.