MRI EXAMINATION OF THE LUMBAR SPINE WITH AND WITHOUT CONTRAST

MRI EXAMINATION OF THE LUMBAR SPINE WITH AND WITHOUT CONTRAST

INDICATION FOR STUDY:         Low back pain.  Radiculopathy.

FINDINGS:               Sagittal T1 and T2, axial T1 and T2, and post-contrast sagittal and axial T1 weighted images were obtained on the 1.5 Tesla GE MRI.  There is degenerative disc disease at L5-S1 and slight offset with anterolisthesis of L5 over S1 of few millimeters.  There are modic type changes at the endplates.  There is desiccation at multiple lower lumbar discs.  The conus and nerve roots within the thecal sac show no gross abnormality.  After administration of contrast, there is no abnormal enhancement to the vertebral bodies or conus.

At the levels of L1-L2 and L2-L3, there is no significant disc herniation, central canal stenosis, or neuroforaminal narrowing.

At the level of L3-L4, there is slight indentation on the anterior thecal sac, but no significant central canal stenosis or neuroforaminal narrowing.  There is no abnormal enhancement around the thecal sac or neuroforaminal regions.

At the level of L4-L5, there is no significant disc herniation or central canal stenosis.  There is slight indentation on the anterior thecal sac.  There is no significant neuroforaminal narrowing.  There are degenerative changes of the facet joints slightly.  There is no abnormal enhancement around the thecal sac or neuroforaminal regions.

At the level of L5-S1, there is degenerative disc disease and disc space loss.  There is indentation on the nerve roots within the thecal sac.  There is no significant central canal stenosis.  There are degenerative changes of the facet joints and the offset does cause slight indentation and impingement upon the exiting nerve roots bilaterally.  There is no significant abnormal enhancement though surrounding the thecal sac or nerve root regions.  The exiting nerve roots are seen best on images 22 and 23 of series 104 at this level.  If there is any further concern, would recommend further evaluation as needed.

 

IMPRESSION:         Degenerative disc disease at L5-S1 with indentation on the exiting nerve roots bilaterally at this level.  No abnormal enhancement.  Please see comments above.

XXXXXXXXX