Can anyone explain this foreign language..

RADIOLOGY REPORT

Report:
REPORT: MRI of the of the thoracic spine was performed. Exam was
done in the sagittal plane using a T1, T2 and STIR. Axial T2 is
were obtained from T1 down through T8.

FINDINGS: There is a mild scoliosis of the spine convexity to the
right. There are postsurgical changes seen in the visualized
portion of the lower cervical spine with an anterior fixation
device seen at C5 down to C7. There is a central CSF collection
seen within the cord extending from T3-T4 down through T5-T6. At
its widest its measuring 1.5 to 2 millimeters. The appearance be
consistent with a syrinx. Signal intensity from the visualized
portion of the cord otherwise appears unremarkable. No focal STIR
signal abnormality seen within the vertebral bodies. There's no
significant impression upon the thecal sac. It does appear to be
foraminal narrowing seen at C7-T1 bilaterally. There is
desiccation of the T10 T11-T12 disc. Is a minimal bulge without
evidence of a focal protrusion again no significant encroachment
seen of the central canal or foramina. Paraspinal soft tissues
appear unremarkable. There is a 1.5 cm focal area of bright
signal seen within anterior to the spine seen at the level of
T10. This is poorly evaluated on this study but I believe are
represents the hemangioma that had been crus evaluated with MRI
of the abdomen.





Impression:
There is a mild scoliosis of the thoracic spine convexity to the
right. There are postsurgical changes of the visualized lower
cervical spine. There does appear to be foraminal narrowing seen
at C7-T1 which I suspect is related to hypertrophic changes
involving the posterior elements. If this is of clinical concern
this could be more completely evaluated on the basis of MRI of
the cervical spine. Otherwise there is mild spondylitic changes
seen within the spine with no significant encroachment upon the
central canal foramina at remaining visualized levels.

There is syrinx seen within the cord from T 3 down to T6. I
suspect this is idiopathic with limited clinical significance.
However this should undergo further evaluation with an MRI of the
neural axis to include post gadolinium imaging

Leesa is the best at this! She can break it down and explain why it is or isn't important!

Hi Jonlyn ~ I'll try to help:

First of all, there is scoliosis -- curvature of the spine, which is mild

There is a collection of cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) seen within the cord extending from T3-4 through T5-6, widest measuring 1.5-2mm consistent with a syrinx. A syrinx is a pathological cavity in the spinal cord.

Foraminal narrowing C7-T1 bilaterally. The foramen are the holes that the nerves pass thru to get to the spinal cord. Yours are becoming narrow.

There is dessication of the T10-T12 discs. Dessication is drying out of the discs. When the discs dry out, they tend to flatten and bulge/herniate. There is a minimal bulge without herniation.

There is a 1.5cm bright signal in the front of the spine near T10 which appears to be a hemangioma. This is a benign tumor of blood vessels that typically occur as purplish/reddish elevated area of tissue.

What are your symptoms, Jonlyn? Are you having pain? Numbness? Tingling? It makes a difference.

Hoping to hear from you. Hugs, Lee

I have recently had a new MRI w/ and w/o contrast.. I have the picture disk but, no results yet... I had an EMG which noted pinched nerve at C6,7 and 8... 8? I asked too.. he said nerve not vert.. haha..
My symptoms have been as follows:

head aches! neck pain, stiffness, I love to pop it for relief.. Cant do that fast like I used to .. now I have to just apply steady pressure and hope I get relief...
Numbness: left: face, chest, underarm, arm to fingers, back and shoulders, left hip and leg.. all back side.. right side... shoulder, back, hip and back of leg.. but, not as bad
fatigue,,, I dozed off at church!! so embarrassing ! Not everday.. about 1/2 the time or little less..
weight gain... but, just dx with Hashimotos Disease.. which may be causing the wt gain w/ menopause - no HRT for me... caused me to have a couple of blood clots in my lungs last March,,, just about killed me... whew.. close one
Ears: sounds like the wind is blowing or I have sea shells held up to them.. no continuous...
I hope you can help with this messy message... Let me know if you need clarification.. Thank you

Leesa has been offline due to health issues.

What was your previous surgery for? [ postsurgical changes ]
Your age? only if you don't mind sharing that..

Any more info about this part -
[There is syrinx seen within the cord from T 3 down to T6. I
suspect this is idiopathic with limited clinical significance.
However this should undergo further evaluation with an MRI of the
neural axis to include post gadolinium imaging ]

You can do a website search for syrinx to find more info here.
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/search.php

Have you had any expert PT at all?
Some of your sx could be soft tissue related, trigger points, spasms etc.

Is the lower body sx new? I was wondering why no lumbar spine imaging was done?
This chart might help explain some relation of spine to sx location -
http://www.adjustyourlife.com/images/spinalchart.jpg