MRI EXAMINATION OF THE LUMBAR SPINE WITHOUT CONTRAST

MRI EXAMINATION OF THE LUMBAR SPINE WITHOUT CONTRAST

INDICATION FOR STUDY:           Low back pain.

FINDINGS:               Sagittal T1 and T2 and axial T1 and T2 weighted images were obtained on the Open MRI at XXXXXXX.  The vertebral bodies appear to show slight desiccation of the disc.  There is exaggeration of the normal curvature, but no significant spondylolisthesis, but slight offset at the levels of L3-L4 and L4-L5 of few millimeters.  The patient also has slight rotary scoliosis.  The conus and nerve roots within the thecal sac show no gross abnormality.  There is a simple appearing cyst in the left kidney.  There are degenerative changes and atherosclerotic changes.  There are changes consistent with a compression deformity of the T12 vertebral body.  This does appear to have edema within it and concerning for subacute fracture with only slight vertebral body height loss.  Other etiologies cannot completely be excluded.  If there is any further concern, contrast evaluation or further evaluation may be considered or correlation with other imaging studies.

At the level of L1-L2, there is slight indentation on the anterior thecal sac, but no significant central canal stenosis or neuroforaminal narrowing.

At the level of L2-L3, there is ligamentum flavum hypertrophy, which appears prominent.  There are degenerative changes of the facet joints.  These changes overall are causing mild central canal stenosis.  There is no significant disc herniation or neuroforaminal narrowing.

At the level of L3-L4, there is prominent ligament flavum hypertrophy, degenerative changes of the facet joints, and slight indentation on the anterior thecal sac.  These changes overall are causing mild central canal stenosis.  There is slight indentation on the exiting nerve roots, but no significant impingement.

At the level of L4-L5, there is mild disc bulge with indentation on the anterior thecal sac.  There is no significant central canal stenosis.  There are slight degenerative changes of the facet joints.  There is no significant neuroforaminal narrowing.

 

At the level of L5-S1, there is slight indentation on the anterior thecal sac, but no significant central canal stenosis.  There is no significant neuroforaminal narrowing.  There are degenerative changes of the facet joints.  If there is any further concern, would recommend further evaluation as necessary.

IMPRESSION:          Compression deformity with edema in the T12 vertebral body with very little vertebral body height loss.  There are degenerative changes and changes consistent with spinal stenosis as discussed above for each of the levels.  A preliminary report was discussed with Dr. XXXXXXX.  Would recommend further evaluation as clinically necessary.

Thank you for the referral.

XXXXXXX