NeuroTalk Support Groups - help reading MRI

Quote:

Originally Posted by briannerob (Post 659912)

hello. I am a first time user on this site. My name is Brianne and I am a 30 year ol woman with extreme back pain for 10 years. I ust had an MRI but do not understand it and was hoping someone could enlighten me.
it says under findings:
slight thoracolumbar dextroscoliosis evident
slight disc dehydration and bulge of annulus posteriorly more swo at L4-5 with limited compensatory findings related to scoliosis negative for encroachment concerns
at L5-S1 mild spondolosis slight endplate bony hypertrophy with mild disc protrusion beyong with annular tear
effaced anterior thecal sac with abutted S1 roots, mildly impinged on the right and left S1 roots

what does this mean?/

Hi, and welcome to NT

I'm not a doctor but I'll give it my best shot to try to help you understand some of the findings. It is the "IMRESSION" part of the report that tells me the most.

The findings are describing the anatomical structures so your referring physican can decide what action to take next.

A radiologist not only says things that it is, but also what it is not, to rule out things, so to say.

"slight thoracolumbar" t" THORACOLUMBAR IS THE LOCATION IN YOUR SPINE. THORACIC AND LUMBAR REGIONS. http://parentingteens.about.com/libr...ormalspine.gif

dextroscoliosis evident - a curvature of greater than 10% in your spine in the thoracolumbar area -http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Neurology/dextroscoliosis-on-thoracic/show/504503

slight disc dehydration

dehydration - loss of water content in the disc. "DISCS" are soft tissue. Discs act as shock absorbers for your vertebrae (the boney part of your spine) If you're a smoker, you must cease smoking when you have dehydration findings. I did quit smoking and it helped. that's a win-win thing to do. Also drinking lots of water may help, to some extent, to prevent further dehydration of your discs.

bulge of annulus posteriorly more so at L4-5 with limited compensatory findings related to scoliosis negative for encroachment concerns

a bulge of your "disc" is like a knot on a tire. A herniation would be like a tear in the disc. A herniation is worse, but a bulge can be a competent pain producer. the "ANNULUS" is the ring that encases your discs.
http://www.google.com/images?hl=en&q...og&sa=N&tab=wi

the L4-5 is the location of the disc = the disc/cushion/shock absorber in between lumbar vertebra (bone) 4 and 5.
"with limited findings" I take as not being caused by the dextroscoliosis.

"Negative for encroachment" is a good findings here. meaning it's not bulging into anything else at this time.

"at L5-S1 mild spondolosis slight endplate bony hypertrophy with mild disc protrusion beyong with annular tear "

L5-S1 is the location again.

spondolosis & hypertrophy are arthritic or degenerative conditions of the spine. early degeneration can happen if you're genetically predisposed to have a weak back, or injury can set up early degenerative changes and accelerate the process - not that we need that but it happens.

A "Tear" in the disc is like a jelly doughnut that has a tear on the ring of the doughnut and some of the jelly can come out, on a microscopic basis.

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=...H4mA4QbGlrDSDQ

"effaced anterior thecal sac with abutted S1 roots, mildly impinged on the right and left S1 roots"

Means the bulge is touching or pressing on the S1 nerve roots. Definitely some pain and problems from this finding, on both sides, probably down hips and legs and maybe to your toes.

I hope this helps some.

ten years is a long time to go without an MRI. Did it just get unbearable?

bulges can rarely go back in. One did for me. but another accident and I have more now. bulges are generally not surgical conditions unless you're having bladder and bowel problems, or just too much pain.

I have a lot of problems, but back pain is miserable pain. So I do understand how miserable you can get with back pain. Can't sit, stand, lay, walk, bend, crouch, crawl... just miserable most of your waking hours.

There are a lot of things to try. Physical therapy, chiropractors if you can afford that. I use ovesized tennis balls (you may be able to find at a pet store) to help with my back. I have also used a TheraCane, which helped with muscle spasms and trigger points. http://www.google.com/images?um=1&hl...=&oq=&gs_rfai=

I've also used Keniso tape: here are some links for you to look at.

http://www.google.com/images?q=kines...=isch%3A1&sa=2 (just to get an idea)

http://www.ehow.com/how_4482217_use-kinesio-tape.html

I've also used a spinal alignment board:

http://www.badbackstore.com/BackMagi..._p/u-10271.htm

Miracle Ball Method:

http://www.elderluxe.com/store/item....FRmfnAodfBtDEQ

Yoga is also helpful to stretch those muscles and ligaments out.

There's many things to try.

keep in touch.