MRI Results
Below are the diagnostic results from the MRI I had on April 25. My doctor's interpretation is at the bottom.
Technique
Sagittal T1, T2. Axial T1, T2
Findings
There are no previous plain radiographs available for comparison at this time. For the purposes of this dictation there will be five lumbar type vertebral bodies. The lowest full sized vertebral body above the lowest complete disc will be considered L5.
The conus is of a normal signal intensity and morphology. The tip of the conus lies posterior to what is felt to represent T12-L1.
Disc desiccation, mild disc space narrowing and a posterior disc bulge at L4-5. Some facet hypertrophy and ligamentum flavum thickening. Mild bilateral inferior neural foraminal narrowing. Some posterior displacement of the nerve roots. The disc material is intimately associated with the descending L5 nerve roots. There is also increased T2 signal within the posterior aspect of the disc, which is suggestive of an annular tear.
Disc space narrowing at L5-S1 with disc desiccation. There is a larger disc bulge at this level.
There is also facet hypertrophy. The posterior disc bulge is slightly more pronounced on the right. On to moderate bilateral inferior neural foraminal narrowing. There is compression of the descending S1 nerve root against the right posterior elements. Slightly less deviation and compression of the descending S1 nerve root on the left. Note is again made of the hyperintense focus in the posterior aspect of the disc, which suggests an annular tear.
The bone marrow signal intensity is within normal limits. Incidental note is made of a presumed right sacral canal Tarlov's cyst.
Impression
Degenerative changes at L4-5 and L5-S1 with some mass effect on the exiting nerve roots at these levels. Mild inferior neural foraminal narrowing at L4-5. Moderate inferior neural foraminal narrowing at L5-S1. Probably bilateral S1 nerve root compression at L5-S1 as described above. Annular tears are suspected at both levels.
My doctor's interpretation.
"You have the back of a 80-year-old. Okay, a 70-year-old."
If I was still in pain, lower back surgery would be my only option. However, since I'm not in any pain and am not experiencing any numbness, the current therapy is low-impact exercise and losing more weight.
So I'm okay. For now, anyway.
Technique
Sagittal T1, T2. Axial T1, T2
Findings
There are no previous plain radiographs available for comparison at this time. For the purposes of this dictation there will be five lumbar type vertebral bodies. The lowest full sized vertebral body above the lowest complete disc will be considered L5.
The conus is of a normal signal intensity and morphology. The tip of the conus lies posterior to what is felt to represent T12-L1.
Disc desiccation, mild disc space narrowing and a posterior disc bulge at L4-5. Some facet hypertrophy and ligamentum flavum thickening. Mild bilateral inferior neural foraminal narrowing. Some posterior displacement of the nerve roots. The disc material is intimately associated with the descending L5 nerve roots. There is also increased T2 signal within the posterior aspect of the disc, which is suggestive of an annular tear.
Disc space narrowing at L5-S1 with disc desiccation. There is a larger disc bulge at this level.
There is also facet hypertrophy. The posterior disc bulge is slightly more pronounced on the right. On to moderate bilateral inferior neural foraminal narrowing. There is compression of the descending S1 nerve root against the right posterior elements. Slightly less deviation and compression of the descending S1 nerve root on the left. Note is again made of the hyperintense focus in the posterior aspect of the disc, which suggests an annular tear.
The bone marrow signal intensity is within normal limits. Incidental note is made of a presumed right sacral canal Tarlov's cyst.
Impression
Degenerative changes at L4-5 and L5-S1 with some mass effect on the exiting nerve roots at these levels. Mild inferior neural foraminal narrowing at L4-5. Moderate inferior neural foraminal narrowing at L5-S1. Probably bilateral S1 nerve root compression at L5-S1 as described above. Annular tears are suspected at both levels.
My doctor's interpretation.
"You have the back of a 80-year-old. Okay, a 70-year-old."
If I was still in pain, lower back surgery would be my only option. However, since I'm not in any pain and am not experiencing any numbness, the current therapy is low-impact exercise and losing more weight.
So I'm okay. For now, anyway.