Should I be alarmed about my CERVICAL SPINE MRI RESULTS?
Nothing to be completely alarmed about...some stuff is normal "wear and tear" that comes with age and some of it is possibly from the trauma. However, all things considered, there is nothing that appears to be detremental or be indicative of surgery. To what, specifically are you referring when you are getting your neck "manipulated"...are you referring to them "cracking" your neck or just to handeling your neck in general? If the latter, are there specific movements which bring about your symptoms? However, if your therapist is performing cervical manips (ie, "cracking") and if it hasn't improved (or more specifically if it actually makes it worse), I would recommend a slightly different approach. I would see a physical therapist who is certified in a uses Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy. You can use the therapist locator at www.mckenziemdt.org Addendum: OK, so it sounds like you are received very basic passive range of motion to the neck. It's not completely inappropriate, but there are much better ways to manage neck pain that radiates to the arm. I'd say it's really time to move to a PT with a different skill set. I would definitely use the MDT website.
Please explain this cervical neck MRI report?
There is preservation of vertebral body height with maintenance of alignment on the sagittal plane. The STIR signal sequence shows no evidence to suggest marrow edema. Decreased T1 and STIR signal intensity is seen throughout the interverterbral discs extending from the c2-3 through the c6-7 suggesting disc dessictaion. Visualized portions of the cervical cord are without pathologic enlargement or abnormal signal intensity. The visualized skull base contents appear grossly unremarkable. No significant preverbal soft issue swelling is identified. At C4-5 there is moderate arthritic change seen within the right uncovertebral joint causing a moderate right neural forminal narrowing. There Is no significant encroachment into the central canal at any cervical level. The remainder of the neural formina appear grossly patent. Impression: 1. No MRI evidence to suggest an acute fracture or subluxation of the cervical spine. 2. No significant encroachment/stenosis of the central canal is seen throughout the cervical spine. 3. Moderate uncovertebral joint arthrosis seen to the right of midline at the C5-6 level causing moderate narrowing of the right neural foramina at this level. The remainder of the neural forminal throughout the cervical spine appear grossly unremarkable. 4. Additional findings as above.
What does an MRI with contrast of the cervical spine show?
Its a very broad question, unfortunately.If you are comparing a non-contrast MRI to a contrast-enhanced MRI, there is a long list of different pathologies that might be seen on one more than the other. But let’s break it down into:DetectionCharacterizationSome pathologies might be more apparent on post-contrast images than non-contrast images, such as inflammation or tumor of the spinal cord, meningitis, an epidural abscess, or a mass in the adjacent soft tissues. In other words, and depending on the other sequences that are run besides post-contrast images, a radiologist would be more likely to ‘see’ something that might not be visible on non-contrast images.Some pathologies might be better defined on post-contrast images, such as some tumors, or post surgical changes, meaning a radiologist would be more able to specifically diagnose what is going on, rather than just having a list of potential etiologies.I hope that’s a helpful starting point!
Need help understanding MRI report?
In a case like this the medical model is to send you to pain management. Why... first as of right now, you don't have enough pathology for surgery. Secondly, due to your young age, no one wants to do surgery and risk possible "failed cervical surgery syndrome." So pain management and or conservative treatment are the most likely and least invasive options. The problem with sending you to pain management is relegating you to a life of drugs and possible addiction for years to come. Of course pain management is getting better with 27 year-olds too. They are asking questions about what interventional measures can be pursued such as pulsed RF and spinal cord stimulation (SCS), also called neurostimulation that can give you a longer lasted pain free life. You do have some fairly uncommon things for a 27 year old. Your Degenerative Disease perhaps spondylosis is more aggressive than most as demonstrated by: The C2-3 level, with some asymmetric bony ridging along the left anterior aspect of the thecal sac. At the C5-6 level the mild posterior disc spur complex (more probably a bony bar formation as I don't have the luxury of independent observation of the films) effaces the ventral thecal sac and causes some neuroforaminal encroachment. At C6-7 mild annular bulge is stated with no comment of stenosis or encroachment. The above pathology with an overall curvature of the spine with concavity to the right, sets up future biomechanical and physiological problems that need to be addressed now. I would first seek the care of a Chiropractor well versed in decompression traction. While having cervical traction, I would consider interventional pain management and specifically a cervical epidural. Not for pain management as the research has demonstrated that CESI's are not the optimum pain management vehicle, but for their ability to lessen the localized inflammation perhaps at the root level caused by the bulging disc and other inflamed soft tissue. I think the local anti-inflammatory effect of the CESI outweighs the determent of the use of the steroid for this application. This anti-inflammatory effect will allow the Chiropractor performing decompression traction to get a better result. Next you then need to do something about the curve (right convexity); but, that is a different conversation. Good Luck Dr Greg Millar DC CCEP Millar Disc Treatment Centers www.millarchiro.com
Help with interpretation of thorasic MRI results?
The foramen is the space the cord goes through. L stands for lumbar spine (low back), S stands for sacral vertebra- below the lumbar. C stands for cervical- the 1st 8 vertebrae (your neck) T stands for thoracic- between cervical and lumbar or middle of your back. The only thing that's not specified here is how significant the foraminal narrowing is. If it's significant it will cause cord compression and you could get numbness or tingling in your legs- if you don't have it already. The rest is minimal or mild, and surgery is likely not indicated- it is probably age appropriate. I imagine you are in your 50's or lead a hard life.
Hi doctors can you help me with my mri of my neck?
Here is the radiology report. The doctor just called and said my brain mri came back negative and when I asked about my neck they said the doctor hasnt commented about it yet. But I have the report and here it is. Let me know what you think Thanks MRI OF THE CERVICAL SPINE HISTORY: Neck pain after head trauma. FINDINGS: Multisequential, multiplanar MRI imaging of the cervical spine was performed without contrast. There are no comparison studies. The craniocervical junction is within normal limits. The cervical spinal cord is normal in caliber and signal intensity without evidence of masses or syrinx formation. The cervical vertebral bodies are demonstrate no abnormal marrow signal. Alignment is within normal limits. There is no significant disc space narrowing. There are no disc bulges or herniations. No significant central canal or neuroforaminal stenosis is produced. There are no significant endplate or facet degenerative changes. There are no prevertebral soft tissue swelling or paraspinal fluid collections. IMPRESSION: 1. Unremarkable MRI of the cervical spine.
Last week, my husband had a cervical spine MRI. In a report, I found, Posterocentral and right posterolateral desiccated disc protrusion at C5-6 level that is causing indentation over ventral thecal sac. What does it mean?
That’s a great question, and I’m not sure where you can get the answer.It is taken for granted abnormal findings on spinal imaging studies in the presence of pain are the cause of the pain. But, imaging studies of the spine and pain don’t correlate.You havent included history or symptoms; however, in spite of that absence of information, it’s still valuable to be aware of the above counterintuitive fact, as it may introduce a healthy skepticism.One very deep essential fact is this:If a proposed diagnostic or therapeutic procedure doesn’t advantage the patient, no level of risk is acceptable.
What does unremarkable mean on cervical spine MRI results?
it meant no unexpected findings.Either no pathology, such as bulging discs, herniation, impinged discs, problem with cerebral, etc. it can also mean minimum findings as expected with aging.