I have a question about my grandfathers MRI results. It is very difficult to understand. ANY help would be greatly appreciated!!! The MRI reads as follows; also to add that he is 72 and contemplating back surgery. How do you feel of the outcome of this type of spinal surgery on a man who is 72 but other than this has great health. Strong heart; before the injury he stood at 6'2" nearly 25 years ago when the accident occured. He is now standing at 5'11" and 260lbs. He is in good health overall. And very very active.


Some Retrolisthesis of the posterior superior cortical margin of the compressed L2 vertebral body impinges upon the ventral aspect of the thecal sac. There is no edema associated with this vertebral body on fluid sensitive T2- weighted images suggesting a chronic compression fracture.

The chord terminates at the T12 - L1 level above the compreseed L2 vertebral body.

Axial images demonstrate the L1-L2 level to show central canal stenosis secondary to the compression deformity of L2 and the slight retropulsion of the posterior superior cordical margin of the L2 vertebral body.

The L2 L3 level shows a broad-based posterior disc bulge producing slight flattening of ventral aspect of the thecal sac. No focal disc extrusion is seen.

The L3 L4 level shows a broad-based posterior disc bulge and facet hypertrophy combining to produce bilateral foraminal filling and mild central canal narrowing.

The L4-L5 level shows a broad-based posterior disc bulge producing mild bilateral with foraminal narrowing.

The L5-S1 level shows mild disc degeneration producing trace bilateral foraminal narrowing. Coronal images through the sacrum demonstrate no evidence of sacral fracture exists.

2nd page of report:

Suggesting a chronic fracture. Some central canal stenosis is noted at L1-2 secondary to the retropulsion of the posterior superior cordical margin of the compressed L2 vertebral body.

Multilevel degenerative changes elsewhere in the lumbar producing some foraminal narrowing at multiple levels as above. No focal disc extrusion seen.
Suspect right renal cyst.

This all basically refers to the spinal collapse in the lumbar region. Compression fractures and bulging discs. His weight is likely to unhelpful in this situation