Hi I am new here and just received my MRI results back and this is what they said. I have an appointment on the 12th to go over the results but was wondering if anyone could help decipher it before then. I am kind of nervous about it so that's why I joined this site. Any info would be greatly appreciated.


FINDINGS:
Alignment of vertebrae is maintained. The vertebral body heights are
maintained. Intervertebral disc desiccation at L2-L3. Diminished disc
space heights from L3-S1 with discogenic endplate changes. Diffusely
low T1 marrow signal is seen.

The conus is normal in signal. The cord terminates normally at the
upper L2 level. No evidence of epidural collection within the spinal
canal.

At L1-L2, mild broad-based disc bulge. Facet arthropathy. No
significant central canal or foraminal stenosis.

At L2-L3, broad-based disc bulge with small central annular tear and
shallow left paracentral disc protrusion. Facet arthropathy. No
significant central canal stenosis. Mild bilateral foraminal stenosis.

At L3-L4, broad-based disc bulge with shallow central to left lateral
recess disc protrusion contributing to left lateral recess narrowing.
Facet arthropathy. No significant central canal stenosis. Moderate to
severe right and mild left foraminal stenosis.

At L4-L5, broad-based disc bulge with shallow left paracentral to left
foraminal disc protrusion contributing to narrowing of left lateral
recess and moderate to severe left foraminal stenosis. Facet
arthropathy. Moderate right foraminal stenosis.

At L5-S1, mild broad-based disc bulge. Facet arthropathy. No
significant central canal stenosis. Mild to moderate bilateral
foraminal stenosis.

IMPRESSION:

1. Multilevel degenerative changes of the lumbar spine as detailed
above.
2. Broad-based disc bulge with shallow central to left lateral recess
disc protrusion at L3-L4 contributing to narrowing of left lateral
recess.
3. Broad-based disc bulge at L4-L5 with shallow left paracentral to
left foraminal disc protrusion contributing to narrowing of left
lateral recess and moderate to severe left foraminal stenosis.
4. Diffusely low T1 marrow signal which may be secondary to a marrow
replacement process or marrow infiltrative process such as lymphoma or
metastatic disease.

Hi Marci67,

Your MRI is mostly underscored with degenerative this and that with a good mixture of various potential compressive issues that could cause lower extremity symptoms. All of this needs to be correlated clinically by your doc to make any real sense.

Number 4 of the impressions is of course a concern but at this point really only puts you into the ballpark of things that are not bad as well as things that are naughty with no indication or course as to which it is. Perhaps you can call your doc and have a pointed discussion of your findings to discuss the meaning of them and prospective avenues of treatment as opposed to torturing you for another week!