Originally Posted by molly123

Hi, I'm new here and new to back pain. I've had it off and on for the past couple of years but since about September it has been a daily occurrence. It is mostly mid to upper back/neck pain. After getting looked at by my PCP and then a chiropractor I was referred for an MRI. I'm not totally sure what the results mean and have not yet met with my doctor, but I would like to have some idea of what I'm looking at! Any thoughts/ideas/suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

FINDINGS:

Cerebellar tonsils are low lying, 6-7mm below the level of the foramen magnum. No evidence for cervical cord syrinx or other intrinsic cord signal abnormality is demonstrated. Minimal C2-C3 anterolisthesis, minimal C3-4 anterolisthesis, mild upper thoracic liver curvature present. Vertebral body heights are maintained. 1.6cm subcutaneous lesion left of midline at C4 level should be correlated clinically.

At C2-C3, no significant central canal or foraminal narrowing is seen.

At C3-C4, small right paracentral disc protrusion indents the thecal sac.

At C4-C5, no significant central canal or foramina narrowing is seen.

At C5-C6, no significant central canal or foramina narrowing is seen.

At C6-C7, no significant central canal or foramina narrowing is seen.

At C7-T1, no significant central canal or foramina narrowing is seen.

IMPRESSION:

No spinal canal or foramina stenosis, cord or nerve root impingement. Cerebellar tonsillar ectopia. Nocervical cord syrinx.

Any ideas of what this means in language that is a little more straightforward would be greatly appreciated!! Thank you!