Hi am new to this forum and trying to find answers to a problem I have been having.

On January 4th we came home from our trip in Lake Tahoe back to Louisiana. I began having left leg pain on the plane ride back. I have had this pain off and on over the years, and just thought maybe it was being stuck in one place for too long. I had an appt. with my NS for a herniated disc on my neck on the 10th and I mentioned the pain to her and she ordered an MRI of my lumbar area. While waiting for the MRI, I began having lower back pain also. It became so bad that I couldn't stand to sit in my chair at work and standing for too long became very painful.

I had my MRI on the 16th and called the NS doctor for results which she said was normal. I went ahead and picked up the results for myself just to see what they said.

The results were mostly normal, my only question was this finding:
There is a rounded T1 and T2 hyperintense lesion within the posterior superior endplate of L1 consistent with a hemangioma.

Any one know what this means, and could this be causing my pain.

I appreciate any help.
Bridgett

I think with the hemangioma it would depend on the size, did it say the size anywhere on your results? I'd probably get a second opinion just for the sake of having one as the 'hyperintense lesion' would worry me more than it being a hemangioma. I'd ask for them to confirm what it is and how big it is, and then go from there.

Your pain could be from a number of things, including sciatica.

Ellie, thanks for the reply. It did not mention size at all on the report. What exactly do you think hyperintense lesion means. I tried to look it up but haven't really found anything. I do have a PM doctor that I see for my neck problems, do you think I sould have him look at my MRI and report.

Is sciatica pain something that would not show up on an MRI.
Thanks

Here's a link to some information on Sciatica:
http://www.spine-health.com/topics/c.../sciatica.html

I don't know the exact definition (heck, I don't know if there is one). But I've heard it used before in the diagnosis of MS (but it's usually in the brain). But then again, it is mentioned for a lot of stuff so it's hard telling. I know anytime my doctors don't know what some foreign thing is in my body it is called a lesion until proven otherwise. I'm not really familiar with those things as it can be, well, anything. It's always best to confirm what 'it' is, though. In my opinion at least.

Just what you originally described is what made me think of sciatica.

Sciatica Symptoms

The most common symptom from sciatica is pain. Most people describe a deep, severe pain that starts low on one side of the back and then shoots down the buttock and the leg with certain movements.

• The pain is usually worse with both prolonged sitting and standing. Some people describe the worst pain when trying to stand from a low sitting position, such as standing up after sitting on a toilet seat.
  
• In most people, the pain is made worse by sneezing, coughing, laughing, or a hard bowel movement. Bending backward can also make the pain worse.
  
• You may also notice a weakness in your leg or foot, along with the pain. The weakness may become so bad you can't move your foot.

Thanks Ellie, I decided to send the report to my PM dr. I am waiting for him to call me back on it. I think you could be right about the sciatica info, that def sounds like the problems I've been experiencing.
Bridgett

If it is, I have it and I get SI Injections once every other year (to avoid any potential damage, scarring, etc). They work VERY well for me and give me a good extra 2 hours on my feet (or butt) painfree!

It's just a steroid injection around your tailbone, don't panic - they numb it first with some spray!

Ellie, my PM doctor called me and said that it is just a hemangioma and nothing to worry about.

What causes the sciatic nerve to become aggravated. I assume that it can happen without and disc problems. I think it had something to do with the plane ride.

I appreciate all your posts.
Bridgett

I have low back problems, and once stuck on a plane for about 8 hours...I couldn't walk off the plane it was so bad...I limped. Called my doc for muscle relaxers while driving thru the Nevada desert and it was gone in a few days.

We all have discs that degernerate over the years, its just life. Be kind to your back since you are pre-disposed to problems!