Please help me understand MRI
 

Hi I'm new to this forum. I have been on other forums but this one seems to have really helpful information. I have read about some of the things that have been found on my MRI but if someone could explain it all together it may be easier for me to understand. I feel I am in more pain than I should be because it doesn't seem from what I understand that I have anything seriously wrong. But, I can hardly walk or stand most days. I have to lift my leg into the car after work. I have so much lower back (sacrum area) and leg pain, mainly anterior thighs (bilateraly) but the pain does radiate down to feet. I also have Lymes disease so that doesn't help. My doctor is out of town for a week so I haven't seen him since I have gotten these results. Someone please explain this to me.

IMPRESSION

1. There is a posterior protrusion and extrusion at L5-S1, extending into the lateral recesses bilaterally slightly greater on the right with contact and posterior displacement of the descending S1 nerves. The findings could account for a S1 radiculopathy on either side.

2. There is edema of the L5-S1 endplates, favored to be reactive/degenerative in etiology, given the intact endplates and lack of abnormal signal within the intervertebral disc space, as would be expected with an infectious spondylitis.

3. There is moderate narrowing of the left L5-S1 neural foramen.

4. There are cystic foci of the left adnexa, not fully evaluated on this exam, could be evaluated with ultrasound if warranted, the largest on the order of 1.2 CM.

5. There are foci of possible edema of the T11 and T12 pedicles and facet articular processes as described although at the margin of the exam. The findings are nonspecific, could be reactive/degenerative in etiology. Correlation with any pain at this location is recommended.

Another thing I want to mention is exactly 1 year ago I had the same MRI and the findings/impression are alot different. They are as follows:

1. Degenerative loss of signal in the L5-S1 disc. The disc causes a small ventral epidural defect and annular protrusion. The inferior endplate of L5 shows degenerative changes.

Does this seem odd to have such changes in just a year.

Any information anyone can provide me would be so appreciated.

Great to have you here!
 

Hello and welcome to NeuroTalk. Happy to see you have come to be with us. Just let us know if we can be of any help.

There are great number of fellow members here to assist you. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Here is a great forum with friends to assist you:

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum17.html

Again welcome, looking forward to seeing you around.

Darlene :hug:

Let me see if I can make some kind of sense of this. LOL

1: There is a disc bulging at L5-Sl extending to the back of the descending
S1 nerves. That could account for radiculopathy on either side. (pain radiating.

2: There is swelling of the S1 endplates (motor neuron tht contacts with a muscle fiber) and because it's degenerative in nature and the endplates lack of abnormal signal in the disc space it's as expected with an infectious inflammation of the vertebra

3: There is moderate narrowing of the L5-S1 neural foramen. (that's the hole where the nerves to the spinal cord go thru.)

4: You have a cyst at the bottom of the spine which is about l.2CM

5. There is swelling of the T11 and T12 pedicles (base of vertebra) and facet (winglike things on back) This could be reactive/degenerative.


I hope this makes some kind of sense to you. It's about the best I can do. Best of luck, and I hope you get relief to your pain. I know how hard this is. God bless. Hugs, Lee