Could someone explain this Loss of T2 signal
 

In the thoracic spine, loss of disc T2 signal is seen at several levels, … minor ligmentum flavum thickening/ calcification is seen at T8-9 level lying in the dorsal epidural fat, without dural effect.

… There are facet degenerative changes bilaterally at L3-4, L4-5, L5-S1 levels, most marked at L4-5

Thank you in advance,

Redcat

I see many people have viewed but no responses. What I really want to know is what does Loss of disc T2 signal mean?
My symptoms are arm and leg weakness and gait problems with a constant headache and tinnitus. I have lhermitte's sign and Nystagmus. I have Ehlers Danlos Syndrome which makes my joints hypermobile and more prone to injury.
I have tried to look online for answers with little success.
Redcat

Hi redcat,

I don't really know anything about the thoracic spine.

Has your Dr seen the report? Whenever I've had an MRI my Dr tells me what it all means.

I have pain/tingling in my left arm/fingers but that's coming from the cervical spine, also pain/numbness in my left leg/foot and no one knows why, a damaged disc in the lumbar spine is too high up to cause the symptoms.

I also have the same as you though, the ligamentum thickening and a chiro once said that could be the cause of the pain, doesn't calcification mean hardening?? not sure :)

The facet degenerative changes can be very painful, if it's in the Lumbar area that affects your lower body.

If your arm is also hurting that's not the Lumbar area, it's either Cervical or Thoracic.

Sorry can't be of much help, take the report to a Dr and get them to explain, hope you are ok.

Hi and thank you for your reply. The doctors just tell me that everything is within normal limits.
I don't think having your spinal cord compressed is normal. Nor having multiple bulging and herniated discs or spondlithisis.
I have tried to attach some images. The quality is poor, the original mri quality was poor.
Redcat
It looks like it only attached one image.

Hi redcat,

I can see those bulging discs on your MRI, they are very similar to mine except I will say yours look a little worse and the pain I've been in has been over the top horrendous.

It annoys me to no end when they say it's all within normal limits, well....yes a lot of people have this going on but they feel nothing, then there are other people who are in a lot of pain, they can't only go by what that MRI shows, they know this.

No, the spinal cord being compressed is not normal.

Also, my physiatrist said the usual MRI's are done lying on your back so the pressure is taken off versus you standing, so the discs sound like they are pinching a nerve but maybe pulling away when you lie down.

Makes perfect sense especially if you get relief when you're lying down, my toes still have pain and tingle sometimes though even lying down and walking they get worse and worse.

The physiatriast told me my MRI "doesn't look that bad" huh!!!! I'm in agony!! so we are going through the gambit of massage now, PT again made it worse, and am seeing a chiropractor, I was in agony the day after and spent 1/2 the day in the bath.

I see a neurosurgeon next week and am just going to be frank, I can't live like this.

If I were you I'd change Dr's of you can, keep on going until you find someone to listen to you, this is not in your head!!

I'm rambling but I know how you feel, it's awful and especially when no one seems to be listening.

Can you let me know how things go? hope you are okay today and get some relief :grouphug:

Hi Sitke, thank you for your reply. I am networking and trying to find a better neurologist. I am in a lot of pain. The weakness and gait difficulties are of more concern.
My chiropractor was shocked when he saw the images after he had read the report. I don't get regular manipulations , he uses the activator and ultrasound and acupuncture.
I tried attaching a couple more of the images I have. Too bad I don't have any of my thoracic spine.
Redcat

If you have compression of the cervical cord, DO NOT let a chiropractor anywhere near it! This is the advice I was given by two REAL doctors. Compression of the cord is a very delicate situation and even a minor fall can cause irreversible spinal cord damage. You certainly don't want a chiropractor "manipulating" it. From what I have learned (I, too have cervical cord compression), there is no conservative treatment that can help you with compression. Only surgery will relieve the compression. Whether to have surgery or not is up to you. You need to consider your pain levels and tolerance and also carefully monitor your symptoms for any indications of myelopathy. The gait changes and weakness could be signs of myelopathy, your doctor needs to check for this right away. Also, have you had any problems with bowel or bladder - including loss of urgency or sensing the need to go?
BTW, I too had a hard time trying to figure out what "loss of signal" meant, but I finally saw some information that says it relates to dryness in the disks and has nothing to do with the spinal cord.