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 T2, and post-contrast sagittal and axial T1 weighted images were obtained on the 1.5 Tesla GE MRI.  The vertebral bodies appear in relatively good alignment.  There is no fracture to the vertebral bodies or endplates.  The cord shows no significant signal abnormality.  After administration of contrast, there is no abnormal enhancement or lesion or mass to the cord or vertebral bodies or Chiari malformation.

At the level of C2-C3, there is a central disc herniation with indentation on the anterior thecal sac, but no significant central canal stenosis or neuroforaminal narrowing.  There is no abnormal enhancement.

At the level of C3-C4, there is a central disc herniation with indentation on the anterior thecal sac, but no significant central canal stenosis or neuroforaminal narrowing and there is no abnormal enhancement.  There are degenerative changes of the facet joints.

At the level of C4-C5, there is a right paracentral disc herniation with indentation on the anterior thecal sac and mild central canal stenosis in this region.  There is no significant neuroforaminal narrowing or abnormal enhancement.  This is seen on image 8 of series 104.

At the level of C5-C6, there is a diffuse disc herniation with indentation on the anterior thecal sac, but no significant central canal stenosis or neuroforaminal narrowing.  There are slight degenerative changes of the facet joints.

At the level of C6-C7, there is a diffuse disc herniation with indentation on the anterior thecal sac.  There is no significant central canal stenosis or neuroforaminal narrowing.  There are degenerative changes of the facet joints.  There is no significant abnormal enhancement.

At the level of C7-T1, there is no significant disc herniation, central canal stenosis, or neuroforaminal narrowing.  There is slight indentation on the anterior thecal sac and slight degenerative changes.  The patient is slightly rotated.

IMPRESSION:           Changes consistent with disc herniation at multiple levels as discussed.  There is slight central canal stenosis at the level of C4-C5 as discussed above.  There are degenerative changes of the facet joints at multiple levels.  There is no abnormal enhancement.  Please see comments above for each level.  Would recommend further evaluation as needed.

Thank you for the referral.

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