Here are all my MRI results as Suggested for your review
 

I tried to post these in my original post but for some reason it did not go through. There is so much to wade through here and I so much appreciate everyones time. I posted for the first time yesterday and it was suggested I put all of my current reports up so here they are. :eek:

CLINICAL HISTORY: Recheck status of syrinx, rule out MS.
TECHNIQUE: MRI of the cervical spine was performed utilizing multiple sequences in axial and
sagittal planes without and with IV contrast material.
COMMENTS:
The visualized osseous elements are intact with no evidence of fracture or dislocation. The marrow signals are within normal limits. Note is made of a small spinal cord syrinx measuring approximately 1 mm in diameter extending from approximately level of C5-C6 through C7-T1 measuring 4 cm in craniocaudad dimension.

There is straightening of cervical lordosis compatible with muscle spasm.

Multilevel dehydration and desiccation is seen. There is no evidence for tonsilar herniation. Limited views of the posterior fossa reveal no abnormalities. At C5-C6, moderate loss of disc space height is noted.
Post gadolinium sequences reveal no evidence for abnormal enhancement.

Evaluation of individual level presents the following:
At C2-C3, there is no disc herniation or bulge present. Canal and foramina are patent.
At C3-C4, minimal disc bulge indents the ventral thecal sac. Canal and foramina are patent.
At C4-C5, disc bulge indents the ventral thecal sac. Canal and foramina are patent.
At C5-C6, broad-based disc herniation/protrusion is noted. It measures approximately 20 mm in transverse and 3 mm in AP dimension produces mild mass effect on the spinal cord with mild canal stenosis. Both foramina are moderately stenotic. Uncovertebral joint hypertrophy contributes. Syrinx is noted at this level.
At C6-C7, central disc herniation is in contact with the cord. It measures 15 mm in transverse and 3mm in AP dimension. Canal is borderline stenotic. Foramina are remained patent. Small syrinx is
noted at this level. Note is made of bilateral lateral meningoceles at this level. The one on the left measures 7 x 4 mm. The one on the right measures 5 x 3 mm.
C7-T1, there is no disc herniation or bulge present. Small syrinx is noted at this level.


Lumbar MRI
HISTORY: Pain in hip and back.
TECHNIQUE: MRI of the lumbar spine was performed utilizing multiple sequences in axial and sagittal planes without IV contrast material. STIR sequence was performed.
FINDINGS:
Transitional vertebral body is present. This study will be interpreted with presumption that the last disc level labeled as L5-S1. Using this, spinal cord terminates at L1 level. Incidental note is made of small bilateral Tarlov cysts at second sacral level the largest of which measures 18 x 13 mm.

Note is made markedly diffusely heterogeneous bone marrow pattern which may be seen in the setting of developmental or metabolic disorder including resulting in marrow reconversion. Clinical correlation is recommended. Consider short term follow up study in six months to document stability.

Note is made of several small T1 and T2 hyperintense lesions within several lumbar vertebral bodies most compatible with small hemangiomas versus lipid rests.
There is no evidence of marrow edema. There is no evidence of acute fracture.
Incidental note is made of small bilateral lateral meningoceles at T9-T10 and T10-T11 levels.
Consider follow up with a dedicated MRI of the thoracic spine.

The visualized osseous elements are intact with no evidence of fracture or spondylolisthesis. The normal lordotic curvature of the lumbar spine is well maintained. The conus medullaris and cauda equina are within normal limits.

Evaluation of individual levels presents as follows:
At L5-S1 there is no disc herniation or bulge present. Canal and foramina are patent.
At L4-L5 annular tear is seen. There is a small central disc herniation which is in contact with the
ventral thecal sac. Canal and foramina are patent. Moderate hypertrophic facetdisease is present.
At L3-L4 disc bulge indents the ventral thecal sac. Foramina are mildly narrowed. Canal is patent.
Mild hypertrophic facet disease is seen.
At L2-L3 there is no disc herniation or bulge present. Canal and foramina are patent.
At L1-L2 there is no disc herniation or bulge present. Canal and foramina are patent.
5 mm cortical cyst is present in the left kidney.

CLINICAL HISTORY: Recheck status of syrinx, rule out MS.
TECHNIQUE: MRI of the brain was performed utilizing multiple sequences in axial, coronal and
sagittal planes without and with IV contrast material. Diffusion-weighted sequences was performed.
COMMENTS:
Note is made of a 5 mm lesion in the posterior aspect of the pituitary gland which is bright on T1 with
a drop in signal on FLAIR and low signal on T2-weighted sequence. This may represent lipoma versus small hemorrhagic pituitary adenoma. The lesion does not appear to be enhancing. Considerfurther evaluation with dedicated pituitary MRI pre and postcontrast.

The corpus callosum and
cerebellar tonsils are of normal configuration and position. There are no intra or extra-axial
collections. There is no mass effect or midline shift. There is no evidence of hematoma formation.
There is no hydrocephalus.
The parasellar areas are unremarkable. Pituitary stalk is midline. Optic chiasm is within limits of
normal.
The visualized arterial structures demonstrate normal appearing flow voids. The seventh and eighth
nerve bundles are visualized and are unremarkable in appearance.
There is evidence of mild mucosal thickening involving ethmoid and maxillary sinuses compatible
with chronic sinusitis.
Diffusion-weighted sequence demonstrates no evidence of restriction.
Post gadolinium images demonstrate no evidence for abnormal enhancement.

Forgot to mention that I have had mild scoliosis since I was pre adolescent . It was mentioned on X-rays done twelve years ago which was the last time I had a thoracic MRI study done. It is always mentioned when I am being examined by the PT.

I came to this site hoping someone could shed some light on what might be going on with my spine. My neuro will be seeing all of the updated MRIs next week. I feel like I need some kind of specialist but what kind I have no idea. I just know that for the last 30 years my spine has slowly been getting worse and worse and I am now in constant pain.

I'll try to help:

Multilevel dehydration/dessication: this means that you have degenerative disc disease, which is drying out of the discs.

It notes there is a small syrinx from C5-6 to C7-T1 measuring 4cm. These are pathological cavities.

C2-3 Fine

C3-4 Minimal disc bulge indents thecal sac. The thecal sac is a membrane of dura matter that surrounds the spinal cord and cauda equina. The thecal sac is filled with cerebral spinal fluid.

C4-5 Same as above

C5-6 Broad based disc herniation produces mild mass effect on spinal cord with mild canal stenosis. Stenosis is narrowing of the spinal canal. Both foramina are moderately stenotic - the foramen are the holes that the nerves pass thru to get to the spinal cord -- these are becoming narrow. Uncovertebral joint hypertrophy contributes. hypertrophy is excessive development of bone. The syrinx is noted at this level.

C6-7 Central disc herniation is in contact with the cord. Canal is borderline stenotic (see above). Note is made of bilateral lateral meningoceles. This is a protrusion of the meninges thru defect in spinal column forming a cyst filled with spinal fluid. The Meninges are membranes that envelopo the spinal cord and include the arachnoid, dura mater and pia mater.

C7-T1 Syrinx is noted at this level


LUMBAR

L5-S1 fine

L4-5 There is an annular tear. This is a fluid filled sac that the disc sits in, and it has a tear. There is a small central disc herniation which is in contact with the ventral thecal sac. (Thecal sac-SEE ABOVE) Moderate hypertrophic facet disease (see above)

L3-4 Disc bulge indents thecal sac . The foramina is mildly narrowed. Mild hypertrophic facet disease.

L2-3 Fine

L1-2 Fine

The cortical cyst on the kidney should be evalutated by a urologist.

I'm no doctor, but in reading these, I would take these to a Neurosurgeon for an opinion. IF he suggests surgery, I would DEFINITELY get 2 MORE opinions because surgery of this type is something obviously you can't undo! lol

Also, surgery is NOT for pain. It's only for mechanical problems. It won't take away all your pain. After surgery, you will have the same pain and maybe worse. You will still need pain medications. So it's not a miracle cure by any means. So you must be sure that what you're doing is the right decision for you.

I wish you the very best. If I've confused you please let me know, ok? I'll try to answer your questions as best I can. God bless & please take care. Hugs, Lee

You have a lot of things going on.
syrinx
degenerative disc disease
disc bulge
disc herniation
protrusion of the meninges thru defect in spinal column forming a cyst
annular tear
cortical cyst on the kidney

I hope you are able to find really good drs to help with it..

Thanks for looking and for the interpretation Leesa. It was a lot to sort through. The last thing I want is surgery and what I feel I need is a dr that can help me manage the pain and help me not get worse or at least slow things down a bit if its possible.

You are right Jo*Mar! Too much! Throw the pituitary tumor they found in the brain MRI report and the wonderful world of menopause and I am pretty much fried:eek:

I will be seeing my neuro on Teusday and then will go from there.

Tarlov
 

Hi, Just wondering how you are doing and what happened when you saw your doctor?
:hug:
Katt17

Yeah ~ WHAT HAPPENED??? Did you have surgery? What did the Neuro say?

We'd sure like to know. Check in when you can, okay? Hugs, Lee :)