help understanding a MRI
 

HI i just signed up here. not exactly sure where to look.
My husband was in a car accident at work almost a year ago and we are finally getting answers. we got his MRI results back i have a medical background but not in this area. if someone could help me understand it would be great. here is the conclusion of his lumbar spine MRI

1)there is a mild L4 facet arthrosis with an associated 1cm posteriorly dissecting left facet synovial cyst noted.

2) there is a mild diffuse annular bulge at L5-S1 without nerve root displacement, central canal or foraminal stenosis.

3) there is a 3.2 cephalocaudal by 1.9cm in diameter Tarlov nerve root sleeve cyst or arachnoid cyst in the right side of the central canal begining at the mid body of S1 and extending to the inferior body of S2 nerve root against the bony margins of the central canal.

Welcome to NT

I'll try. not a doc....

"1)there is a mild L4 facet arthrosis" (1st stage arthritis at lumbar facet joint-meaning bony part of the spine, the vertebra) with an associated 1cm "posteriorly" (toward the backside of the spine) dissecting (...well, I would imagine cyst's position is like cutting off supply of something to something) left facet synovial cyst (benign, fluid-filled sacs that develop on the joints as a result of degeneration/arthritis) noted. (arthritic conditions)

2) there is a mild diffuse annular bulge at L5-S1 (Mild-meaning small -- a bulge is like a knot on a tire. Not as bad as a herniation) without nerve root displacement, central canal or foraminal stenosis ("without" is a good finding here. meaning there's no narrowing or a compromised nerve root.)


3) there is a 3.2 cephalocaudal by 1.9cm in diameter Tarlov nerve root sleeve cyst or arachnoid cyst ( Here is a link that might help explain the cyst here... http://www.tarlovcystfoundation.org/...nformation.asp ) in the right side of the central canal begining at the mid body of S1 and extending to the inferior body of S2 nerve root against the bony margins of the central canal.[/QUOTE]

May not be much help. of course always ask his doctor to intrepret the findings for you. Mostly arthritis in nature but can be very painful to patient.

Therre's lots of info here. Here are other links you may find helpful and full of info and caring people.

spinal disorders & back pain:

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum22.html (hummm. see you found that but keep looking and asking questions over there. Others will come along and share their personal experiences with you.)

caregiver's support:

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum56.html

See ya around the board.

thank you for the help on the mri. but i have one question can you tell how long a synovial cyst has been there?

You definitely could tell whether he had one if he'd had previous MRIs.

You can't tell the date of a herniation or a bulge, ohter than degeneration being noted, meaning old enough to start arthritic changes. Radiologists would say it's not a "NEW" injury if there's degenerative processes going on. but a cyst, I'm not sure about that.

I know a friend who had a cancerous tumor was told the age of the tumor (7 years) by its size. So not sure on cysts. Ask his doctor.

Back pain is miserable pain. :hug: he can't help being grouchy at times. I understand.

Welcome to NeuroTalk. Great to see you have come to be with our loving group. There are a number of friends will to assist as we can. Just let us know how we can be of any help. We are all here to assist each other as possible.

Again welcome, looking forward to seeing you around.

Darlene :hug:

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