MRI EXAMINATION OF THE LUMBAR SPINE WITH AND WITHOUT CONTRAST

MRI EXAMINATION OF THE LUMBAR SPINE WITH AND WITHOUT CONTRAST

INDICATION FOR STUDY:         Trauma.  Pain.  No prior studies for comparison.

FINDINGS:               Sagittal T1 and T2, axial T1 and T2, and post-contrast sagittal and axial T1 weighted images were obtained on the Open MRI at Fort Pierce.  The vertebral bodies appear in relatively good alignment.  There is desiccation and slight disc space loss at L5-S1.  The remainder of the disc appear well hydrated.  The conus and nerve roots within the thecal sac show no gross abnormality.

At the levels of L1-L2 through L4-L5, there is slight indentation on the thecal sac from ligament flavum hypertrophy, but no significant central canal stenosis or neuroforaminal narrowing.  There is congenitally small canal.

At the L5-S1 level, there is a diffuse disc herniation with indentation on the anterior thecal sac.  There is motion artifact on the axial post-contrast images.  There is no significant abnormal enhancement around the thecal sac or neuroforaminal regions.  There is no significant neuroforaminal narrowing at this level.

IMPRESSION:         Slight degenerative disc disease, desiccation of the disc, and disc space loss at L5-S1 with diffuse disc herniation causing indentation on the anterior thecal sac and nerve roots within the thecal sac.  No significant abnormal enhancement around the thecal sac or neuroforaminal regions.  Please see comments above.

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