Please help translate my MRI. I have horrible lower back and leg pain, with tingling, numbness, and pain in both feet, left trapezius muscle, and left side of face.

FINDINGS:
Disc spaces: Mild disc desiccation in the thoracic spine.
Scattered Schmorl's nodes
Soft Tissue: Moderate sized esophageal hiatal hernia

Axial Images: T4-5 central and left paracentral disc protrusion effaces the ventral thecal sac and flattens the cord ventrally at this level.

T6-7 tiny right paracentral and central disc protrusion minimally effaces the ventral thecal sac.

IMPRESSION: Disc herniations as outlined above. Esophageal hiatal hernia.

Any insight as to what the MRI findings mean will help out tremendously. I have an appointment a month from now, but I'd like to know what it means to help my anxiety over the issue.

did they only image the thoracic spine?? those nerves wouldn't be involved in the lower ext issues, usually.
those thoracic vert might be your trap issue however. you show it is a trap issue and not referred pain from the hiatal hernia?

No disrespect intended but actually a central thoracic herniation could very much host a whole slew of lower extremity problems as well as genitourinary issues (look up "long track symptoms"). That said, your MRI findings only mean something if they correlate with your clinical findings (your clinical exam tests that your doc did who ordered the MRI) so I guess what I am saying is you cannot solely perform an MRI, look at it and then say "what are my problems?"

As far as "trap issue" is concerned, middle traps are innervated by spinal accessory nerve (CN XI) mostly and not segmentally from the thoracic spine so a thoracic herniation would not affect the middle trapeziae. Thoracic paraspinal muscles are however innervated segmentally and could be affected should the exiting roots be entrapped (although this is not precisely stated). Your facial and trapezial (proper) pain as you state, would not be related. But enough shop talk, you really need to wait for your ordering physician to break it down for you and relate whether or not your MRI findings correlate with your subjective complaints and objective exam findings. Good luck!

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yo, dubious, please note my use of the word "usually", lol. yes, ANYTHING below the defect CAN be affected but they need to do imaging of the first likely spot. When you here hoof beats, think horses, not zebras!

Hey Pabb, I certainly agree with the above....and please note my use of the word "could!" I hope everyone had a very merry Christmas and best wishes for a healthy and happy New Year!