MRI EXAMINATION OF THE CERVICAL SPINE WITH AND WITHOUT CONTRAST

MRI EXAMINATION OF THE CERVICAL SPINE WITH AND WITHOUT CONTRAST

FINDINGS:               Sagittal T1 and T2, axial T1 and T2, and post-contrast sagittal and axial T1 weighted images were obtained on the 1.5 GE MRI.  There are significant degenerative changes and degenerative disc disease especially noted at the levels of C4 through C7 and also slightly at C3-C4.  The cord shows slight signal abnormality especially at the level of C3-C4 with increased signal in the cord.  There is no abnormal enhancement of the cord or vertebral bodies.  There are modic type changes at multiple levels.

At the level of C2-C3, there is indentation on the anterior thecal sac, but no significant central canal stenosis, neuroforaminal narrowing, or abnormal enhancement around the thecal sac or neuroforaminal regions.

At the level of C3-C4, there is significant disc herniation causing severe central canal stenosis.  Once again, there is increased signal on the cord, which may be chronic in nature secondary to the spinal stenosis.  There is bilateral neuroforaminal narrowing.  There are degenerative changes of the facet joints.  There is no significant abnormal enhancement around the thecal sac or neuroforaminal regions.

At the level of C4-C5 level, there once again is diffuse disc herniation and degenerative changes causing moderate-to-severe central canal stenosis and bilateral neuroforaminal narrowing.  There is no significant abnormal enhancement around the thecal sac.

At the level of C5-C6, there are degenerative changes and diffuse disc herniation causing moderate central canal stenosis.  There are bilateral neuroforaminal narrowing and degenerative changes of the facet joints.

At the level of C6-C7, there is diffuse disc herniation and degenerative changes causing mild central canal stenosis and bilateral neuroforaminal narrowing.  There is no significant abnormal enhancement.

 

At the C7-T1 level, there is no significant disc herniation or central canal stenosis, but there is slight indentation on the anterior thecal sac.  There is no significant abnormal enhancement.

IMPRESSION:         Significant spinal stenosis from the C3 through the C6 level.  There is mild spinal stenosis at C6-C7.  There is bilateral neuroforaminal narrowing at multiple levels.  There is slight signal change in the cord, which may be chronic in nature at the level of C3-C4 secondary to spinal stenosis.  There is no abnormal enhancement of the cord.  There are modic type changes and degenerative disc disease at multiple levels of the cervical spine.  There is no other abnormal enhancement identified.  Would recommend clinical correlation, further evaluation, and surgical consult as necessary.

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