MRI CERVICAL SPINE
HISTORY....ANTEOLISTHESIS
MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING
PRODUCTURE(S) c-spine ne with 1 pul seq-vc

Anterolisthesis of c2 c3
Findings...Sagittal t1 flair were obtained through the cervical spine. Axial gradient echo sequences were obtained rfom c2 and c3

Comparrisons 8/9/2012 CT
Their is no Chiari 1 malformation. No cord signal abormality is seen.There is reversal of of the normal cervical lordosis. There is a multilevel degeneration disc disease with severe degenerative disc disease from C4 -. C7
There is multilevel bilateral facet oa

c2-c3...There is a 5mm anterolisthesis of c2 on c3 unchanged causing mild to moderate spinal canal stenosis. There is associated didc bulge containing the cervical cord but no cord signal abormamality. There is to .
mild to moderate right neural foramen narrowing secondary to osteophyte.
The Posterior longitudinal ligament appears intact.

Can't make out c3 and c4 from printer

c4 c5There is posterior osteophyte contacting the cord. Mild to moderate spinal canal stenosis There is is moderate left neural from narrowing and mild to moderate right neual foramen narrowing.

c5 c6There is left paracentral/lateral recess disc osteophyte complex contracting the cord.No cord signial
abnormality. T here is moderate spinal canal stenosis. There is moderate left neural foremen narrowing, and mild right neural foramen narrowing.

c6 c7 Small disc osteophyte complex. N osignificent spinal canal stenosis.There is mild left neural foremaen narrowing.

impression
There is a 5m anterolistheses of c2=c3 associated with mild to moderate spinal canal stenosis. Fusion of of the left c3-c4 facet which may be the cause of for the hypomobile of the upper cervical spine at c2-c3 causing anterolisthesis. F lexion/extension xrays may be helpful to assess for stability.
There is moderate spinal canal stenosis at c5 c6. There is mild to moderate spinal canal stenosis at c4-c5 Multilevel degenerative disease.

I posted my cervical mri below. I have had pain in bottom of scull and pins and needles going up the back of my head for 14 mts. I have had arthritis in my neck for years. The neurosurgeon wants to fuse I think c2 and c3 but he says he doesn't know if this will help with my pain. He wants to do this in the back of my neck. He is concerned I will be paralyzed if I don't get this done. I am 72 and alone. The only exercise I do is walk.
I am to have a flexion xray next appointment. I am in Canada. I can put up with the pain but I cannot take more pain. I am so confused. thanks jinky

Hi jinkyand welcome
I am sure someone will be along soon who can try to explain the MRI to you

I have merged your two threads into one as it is much easier to get cohesive replies when all the info on one topic is kept in a single thread.

To make replies to this existing thread, just use the REPLY button that you see near the top and bottom left of this page

all the best

Hi ~ I'll try to help.

Reversal of normal lordosis ~ This means that your neck doesn't have the normal curve it should have. It's straighter than normal. This is usually caused by muscle spasms.

Multilevel degenerative disc disease, severe from C4-C7. Degenerative disc disease is drying out of the discs. This happens as we grow older, and everyone gets it. When the discs dry out, they flatten, and many times bulge and herniate.

There is multilevel, bilateral osteoarthritis.

C2-C3 5mm Anterolisthesis of C2-C3 unchanged causing mild to moderate spinal canal stenosis. Stenosis is narrowing of the spinal canal. There is a disc bulge containing the cervical cord, but the cord is fine. There is mild to moderate neural foraminal narrowing. The foramen are the holes that the nerves pass thru to get to the spinal cord and yours are getting narrow. Also there are bone spurs. I am NOT familiar with anterolisthesis.

C3-4 He couldn't make it out.

C4-5 There is a rear bone spur contacting the spinal cord. Mild to moderate spinal canal stenosis (see above) There is moderate left neural foramen narrowing and mild to moderate right neural foramen narrowing (see above)

C5-6 There is left paracentral rear disc bone spur complex contacting the cord. There is moderate spinal canal stenosis. (see above) There is moderate left neural foraminal narrowing and mild right neural foraminal narrowing. (see above)

C6-7 Small disc bone spur complex. No significant stenosis. There is mild left neural foraminal narrowing (see above).

Evidently the C3-4 facet has fused itself to the C2-3, causing less movement of the upper cervical spine. Again they mention 5mm Anterolisthesis, which I'm not familiar with. You should ask your doctor about this.

BEFORE YOU HAVE ANY SURGERY have 2 OTHER NEUROSURGEONS look at these films, and get more opinions on having surgery! Never take ONE surgeons opinion!!! You must have more opinions before having surgery.

And remember that surgery is not for pain. It is only for Mechanical problems. Usually after surgery, you're left with the same pain or worse. Plus there is the "Domino effect." That is where the levels above/below fail because they have to take on more of the load. Then you have to have MORE surgery!! And after you have THAT surgery, the levels above/below THAT surgery site fail -- so it's a vicious circle! The doctors don't tell us this.

I'm sorry you're in need of surgery, but PLEASE -- get 2 more opinions! It's has happened that doctors are WRONG and we don't need surgery at ALL. So grab your films and see other doctors. and PLEASE let us know what you find out. God bless you my friend, and take care. Hugs, Lee

Hi Leesa, I have had arthritis for years. 14 months ago I stopped celebrex thinking I didn't need it anymore and 10 weeks later my neck flared up. I have been back on celebrex for months now.
I had accupture which took 90% of the pain away but cost $70 a week and I couldn't afford it.
The neurosurgeon told me that it could make the pain worse and I told him I wanted a flexion xray...( read this on internet) told me if I get numbness and pins and needles to call him. Where I live it took over a year to get to a neuro and no second opinions. I almost dropped dead when he said it can make the pain worse as I couldn't handle that.
Another Doctor on the internet said where all I do is walk and drive around town my neck should be fine. I know I shouldn't go by this but I live alone as my hubby passed away 2 yrs ago. I have to go to the city to see a neuro and homecare takes me.
I am taking a friend next time with me and a list of questions. I am leaning towards not having a operation as my family doctor gave me some Ativan which helps with the pain. Does this make sense? Why can't I just keep doing what I am doing and if it gets worse go to emergency. Without the celebrex flare up I wouldn't know about my neck.
It is so hard to know what to do. I appreciate you helping me. I am 72. thanks for now jinky posterior fusion is what I think it is.

I go to get a flexion/extension xray 1 hour before I see the neuro on Aug7 in HLFX and if c2 and c3 are stable I don't want surgery.......does this make sense and if they aren't then I need surgery?

they mention 5mm Anterolisthesis,

Plain films show mild (approximately 5mm) anterolisthesis L4 on L5 with no obvious spondylolysis. Disc height is well maintained.....found this on the internetbut don't know if this is any good.

thanks Lee

Hi dear Jinky ~ If you are able to handle the pain with Aleve or other over the counter medications, then do so. DO NOT TAKE SOMEONE ELSE'S PRESCRIPTION MEDICATION. You should NOT be taking your friend's Ativan. That is a prescription drug -- if you want some of that, talk to your doctor and see what he says.

Since you seem to be able to handle the pain ok with a little help, I wouldn't have the surgery either. At the present time, it doesn't look like it's a surgical event from the looks of the MRI. However if the pain changes and become worse, you should see your doctor immediately.

So don't go for surgery at this time if the doctor doesn't think it's urgent -- and I doubt he does. You have the option to say NO. I think you'll be okay. God bless and take care, Jinky. Hugs, Lee

I got the Ativan from my doctor....take 1 mg once a day......I have had the pain 14 mts but it is improving.....it started with me going of celebrex but I am back on it now....the neuro in Halifax said he isn't worried about pain ,only if I become paralized and that scared me but I said I want the flexion xray first....Like I don't do anything to much as I am 72.....he scared me but I wouldn't say yes to surgery.....I am taking a friend next time with me......the neuro said to call him if I get numbness and more pins and needles. I like how you are thinking as I don't want surgery....thanks for helping me .....I will keep in touch.....hugs jinky

Given that there is likely a bit of C-spine instability we would like to order a flexion extension C-spine views before we discuss a procedure with me. She would likely benefit from some sort of stabilization procedure due to the pathology seen on mri. My date is Aug7 and sooner if I develop any numbness and tingling. thanks jinky

Jinky -- Aren't you going to get any OTHER opinions about surgery? YOU REALLY SHOULD!!! This is your LIFE you're talking about! You should NOT take one doctors opinion about surgery! NEVER DO THAT!

Always get 2 more opinions Jinky! Especially with spinal surgery! This is a very serious surgery -- you just cannot depend on one doctors opinion. You really HAVE to have 2 other opinions of other doctors. What if your doctor is WRONG? Then you would have had surgery for NOTHING.

PLEASE Jinky -- Get the 2 other opinions! PLEASE! You don't know HOW important it is! You've got to do this! Love, Lee