Help to understand MRI please
 

MRI Results
There is degenerative changes involving C3-4 and C5-6 intervertebral discs.

There is mild hypertensive signal involving the cervical cord opposite the C3-4 and C5-6, suggestive of mild myelomalacia changes.

No evidence of cerebellar tonsillar herniation.

At the level of C3-4, there is a diffuse posterior disc protrusion pressing the
thecal sac and impinging both ventral roots, more prominent on the left side. Clear neural exit foramina. Mild pressure on the anterior surface of the cord.

At the level of C4-5 there is a mild circumferential disc bulge impinging the thecal sac and both ventral roots with no direct Impingement on the cord. Free roots in the neural exit foramen.

At the level C5-6, there is a diffuse posterior central with left paracentral and lateral disc protrusion compressing the cord and indenting both ventral roots, more prominent on the left side, protruding into the left neural exit foramen impinging the foramen and root in the foramen.

At the level of C6-7, there is a posterior central disc bulge impinging the thecal sac centrally with no obvious root impingement.

There is severe scoliosis in the dorsoculumbar spine, con cavity toward the left in the upper dorsal spine with compensatory curve involving the lower dorsal and lumbar region with com cavity to the right.

No evidence of vertebral wedging or hemivertebrae.

The axial sections show normal dorsal cord with no evidence of significant disc impingement on the cord or the thecal sac. Multiple lateral and anterior disc bulges noted but no obvious impingement on the root in neural exit foramina or on the cord noted on the axial scans.

Multiple osteoarthritic changes of the facet joints at several levels with mild encroachment on the neural exit foramina but no obvious root impingement noted.

No evidence of bone marrow signal intensity alternation noted.

Severe kyphoscoliotic changes in the thoracolumbar region with curve com cavity in the thoracic region toward the left, thoracolumbar curve shows con cavity toward the right.

Multiple disc degenerative changes involving the lumbar region with disc dehydration.

At the level L3-4 there is a prominent right lateral disc with minimal diffuse posterior bulge, lateral bulge partially impinge the left L3 root as it exit the neural foramen.

At the level L4-5, there is a diffuse posterior bulge with left lateral disc extension mildly impinging the thecal sac and left L5 root in the lateral recess with mild impingement on the left L4 root as it exit the neural foramen.

At the level L5-S1, there is a diffuse circumferential disc bulge just indenting the thecal sac centrally with mild impingement on the inferior surface of the right L5 root as it exit the neural foramen with no obvious impingement on the S roots in the lateral recesses.

No obvious focal canal stenosis noted.

OA changes of the facet joints at the L3-4 and L4-5.

Hi Lynn
 

Welcome to Neuro Talk. I can help a bit with reading your MRI. Also at the end of this, don't hesitate to look up any words in the MRI that you do not understand. It is important that you understand the terms, so that when you go back to the neurologist, there won't be anything he can talk about that you won't have knowledge of. A second opinion is extremely important when talking about MRI's that present with some issues.

There are Key words in an MRI, Mild, Moderate, and Severe. When anything pops up as severe, that is an indicator that you need that second opinion, also if surgery is discussed, again important...

Ok, At, C-3-4 there is "mild" impingerment on the anterior surface of the cord. That means the front of the cord. That means there is a hernia, pressing mildly on it.

C4-5 no direct Nerve inpingment....good.. no pressing against the cord.

C5-6 posterior (back side of the vertebra) is compression the nerve roots. However that key word wasn't stated how severe this is, or mild, etc...

At C6-7 no obvious root impingement

In the lumbar region, is a concern. Severe Kyphoscoliotic changes to thoracolumber region. According to the literature I read, this requires some surgery. It isn't a very common thing evidently. It is a curvature more or less of the spine. What they don't want to happen, is the vertebra above and below this site to become worse, there by make the situation worse. Do research this on google just putting in those words and you will see what the doctors are talking about.
Since the words say severe, this would be the #1 thing to bring up to your neurologist.

Don't get overly upset, until you know for sure, what the doctors want to do, I don't know what they would recommend as I am not a professional. That second opinion would be the first thing I did, after getting your information from your current physician. Try all methods of help before you think about surgery. That is a last resort where all other protocols have been tried.
There are Ketamine infusions which I had, that helped greatly. I don't know if your doctor does this, or if he would recommend it. I do know that for me it was a good temporary pain relief until I could get to surgery.
The rest say Mild, which isn't as great a concern. Please keep in touch with me. I can help you with more research if you want. I am here to listen.
ginnie:grouphug:

[At the level of C3-4, there is a diffuse posterior disc protrusion pressing the
thecal sac and impinging both ventral roots, more prominent on the left side

C4-5 there is a mild circumferential disc bulge impinging the thecal sac and both ventral roots

C5-6, there is a diffuse posterior central with left paracentral and lateral disc protrusion compressing the cord and indenting both ventral roots, more prominent on the left side, protruding into the left neural exit foramen impinging the foramen and root in the foramen. ]

For the cervical spine portion I think these could cause some issues..

Do you have any hand /arm symptoms/pain more so on the left side?

PLEASE help read my MRI
 

Hello, I am 30 y/o 180 pounds I have always been athletic and I used to go to the gym regularly. About a year ago my back started to hurt after I bought a new bed. (Not saying that is what I think its from but....) anyway for the past 5-6 months my lower back has been in severe pain. I dont have a lot of money so I try to avoid hospitals but the pain was so bad that I went and got an MRI. The doctor I went to gave me some pain meds and said I should buy an inversion table and use it everyday religiously. So I did and I have been using it everyday with no change. This pain is affecting my everyday life and is making me miserable. I really need help as to whats going on with my back and maybe from the reading someone can suggest what I should do. I will post my Impression rather than the whole MRI since the rest is fine.

IMPRESSION:

1. The L4-L5 disc space level demonstrates a bulging disc touching the focal herniated disc or spinal stenosis. The Nueral foramina are normal.

2. The L5-S1 disc space level demonstrates desiccation of the disc. There is paracentral herniated disc protrusion measuring 10mm x 15mm in size displacing posteriorly the right S1 nerve root. Mild extension into the right nueral foramen is normal. There is mild facet arthropathy.

VERY VERY PAINFUL!

If anyone can help THANK YOU in advance!

How long have you been using the inversion?

I think the dr suggested it hoping that would help to take pressure off that disk so maybe it will shrink or heal itself in time.

But I'm sure it will take time , but not sure how long, if work or activities are re aggravating it, that will add to the time frame..
Are you able to use it may times a day?