Coleen's MRI results...it's long...sorry...

[Guest guest]

Hello,

 

I finally got my MRI done on October 31st, 2008, Halloween. 

I thought I would copy/paste the results and send them to you

all and see what you think.

 

Anyone else experiencing this sort of thing or know much about it?

Can someone put this in English for me? 

 

MRI Lumbar Spine:

 

Reason For Exam:

Back pain.

 

Technique:

Five sequences are obtained in the sagittal and axial planes.

 

Correlative Exams:

None.

 

Findings:

At L1-2 there is a moderate annular disc bulge and mild facet and ligamneta

flava hypertrophy without significant central or foraminal stenosis.  The conus

appears normal and ends at the L1 level.

 

At L2-3 level is unremarkable.

 

At L3-4 there is a mild annular disc bulge, mild facet and ligamenta flava

hypertrophy with a small amount of fluid in the facet joints but no central or

forminal stenosis.

At L4-5 There is a 1.5 cm synovial cyst rising from the right facet joint

extending into the right lateral recess and impinging on the right L5 nerve root

from the posteromedial side displacing it toward the pedicle of L4.  It also

encroaches on the thecal sac contributing to the moderate central stenosis at

this level.  There is at least moderate left foraminal stenosis with moderately

severe left and more moderate right facet arthropathy.  There is also moderate

left foraminal stenosis at this level, and approximately 4 mm of degerative

anterolistthesis.

 

At L5-S1 there is a mild annular disc bulge and mild facet and ligamenta flava

hypertrophy right greater than left without significant central or forminal

stenosis.

 

Visualized bone marrow signal intensity is unremarkable considering the

degenerative disease.

 

Impression:

1.  Moderate lumbar spondylosis with moderate spinal stenosis at L4-5.  A large

synovial cyst on the right at this level contributes to the neural impingement

as detailed above.

2.  Moderate degenerative anterolisthesis at L4-5.

 

My Dr. said that the 1.5 cm synovial cyst at L4-5 (L =lumbar ie lower back) is

not cancerous.  1.5 cm is about 1/2 inch I was told.  It is pressing on the L-5

nerve root

causing pain. 

 

In looking up some of these words it does say that it can cause leg weakness and

arm pain.  I am experiencing both of these.  When I have to go into Walmart I

now have to use a handicap shopping cart that you sit it.  The only way I can

get somewhat comfortable is to lay on either my left or right side and take my

prescription pain pills, muscle relaxers and ibuprofen on a schedule.  I have to

lay in bed most of the time.  My Dr. said no housework and no sex (that is

really what he said).  I am trying to get on Oregon Health Plan Plus now that I

have this MRI done, maybe they will accept me??

 

Also, my birthfather that I met in 1995 passed away November 10, 2008, only 63.

Cheer me up will ya? thanks for listening.

 

Coleen