MRI EXAMINATION OF THE CERVICAL SPINE WITHOUT CONTRAST

MRI EXAMINATION OF THE CERVICAL SPINE WITHOUT CONTRAST

INDICATION FOR STUDY:           Neck pain.  Patient stated bilateral arm and shoulder weakness.

FINDINGS:               Sagittal T1 and T2 and axial T2 gradient echo images were obtained on the Open MRI at XXXXXXX.  The vertebral bodies appear in relatively good alignment.  There is degenerative disc disease and disc space loss slightly at the level of C4-C5, C5-C6, and C6-C7.  The cord shows no significant signal abnormality.

At the level of C2-C3, there are degenerative changes and mild diffuse disc bulge causing mild central canal stenosis.  There are degenerative changes in the neuroforaminal regions and facet joints causing indentation on the exiting nerve roots, but no significant impingement.

At the level of C3-C4, there is a diffuse disc herniation causing mild central canal stenosis.  There are degenerative changes of the facet joints causing slight bilateral neuroforaminal narrowing.

At the level of C4-C5, there is a diffuse disc herniation causing mild central canal stenosis.  There are degenerative changes of the facet joints causing indentation on the exiting nerve roots and slight neuroforaminal narrowing on the left.

At the level of C5-C6, there is a diffuse disc herniation and mild central canal stenosis.  There are degenerative changes and disc disease causing bilateral neuroforaminal narrowing.

At the level of C6-C7, there is a diffuse disc herniation causing mild-to-moderate central canal stenosis along with degenerative changes.  The degenerative changes also are causing slight bilateral neuroforaminal narrowing.

At the level of C7-T1, there is no significant disc herniation, central canal stenosis, or neuroforaminal narrowing.

 

IMPRESSION:          Degenerative disc disease.  Degenerative spurring.  There are changes consistent with spinal stenosis as discussed above for each of the levels and neuroforaminal narrowing.  Would recommend further evaluation as clinically necessary.

Thank you for the referral.

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