MRI EXAMINATION OF THE LUMBAR SPINE WITH AND WITHOUT CONTRAST

MRI EXAMINATION OF THE LUMBAR SPINE WITH AND WITHOUT CONTRAST

FINDINGS:               Sagittal T1 and T2, axial T1 and T2 weighted images, and post-contrast sagittal and axial T1 weighted images were obtained on the Open MRI at XXXXXX.  The patient has had previous x-ray evaluation most recent from XXXXXX, which was reviewed and would recommend reference to those reports.  The vertebral bodies appear in relatively good alignment.  There is desiccation of the L5-S1 disc and slight disc space loss.  There is slight desiccation of the remainder of the lumbar disc.  The conus and nerve roots within the thecal sac show no gross abnormality.  After administration of contrast, there is no significant abnormal enhancement to the vertebral bodies, thecal sac, or neuroforaminal regions.  There is question of prior surgery in the left kidney region.  Would recommend clinical correlation.  The left kidney is not visualized, but it is only seen in a very limited fashion.

At the levels of L1-L2, L2-L3, and L3-L4, there is no significant disc herniation, central canal stenosis, neuroforaminal narrowing, or abnormal enhancement around the thecal sac.

At the level of L4-L5, there is slight ligament flavum hypertrophy and degenerative changes causing indentation on the thecal sac, but no significant central canal stenosis or neuroforaminal narrowing.  There is no significant abnormal enhancement.

At the level of L5-S1, there is a central disc herniation causing indentation on the anterior thecal sac and nerve roots within the thecal sac.  There is no significant central canal stenosis.  There is no significant neuroforaminal narrowing.  There is no significant abnormal enhancement.  There are degenerative changes of the facet joints.  If there is any further concern, would recommend further evaluation as clinically indicated.

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