hello ladyefish its a very long and detailed radiology report.

"moderate kyphosis beginning at C6-7 and extending cephalad to C3-4."
This means you have an abnormal curvature of your neck that is concave at the front, it starts at the bottom two vertebrae in your neck, and extends to about half way up your neck.

"Osteophytes project from the posterior and anterior margins of C4-5, C5-6, and C6-7."
Osteophytes are small bony growths that form around the edges of joints, posterior, and anterior means front ,and back you have seven vertebrae in your neck C6-7 is the joint between the bottom two C5-6 is the next one up C4-5 the next one up and so on.


"Vertebral morphology and bone marrow signal is normal. All disc spaces reflect T2 signal loss indicative of desiccation and there is degenerative narrowing of C2-3, C4-5, C5-6, and C6-7."
Vertebral morphology refers to the form and structure of the vertebrae. Desiccation means a drying out or a lack of moisture in the disks. degenerative narrowing is a loss of height of the disks.


"The cervical spinal cord has increased signal extending from C4 through C7 that is suspicious for either edema or gliosis. There is moderate canal narrowing extending from C4-5 caudad to C6-7."
Edema is swelling, and gliosis is an increased formation of a type of cell in the spinal cord Canal narrowing means your spinal canal has narrowed, caudad just means downward.


"Axial Images:
C2-3 has moderate narrowing of the left third foramina due to an uncovertebral osteophyte. There is a broad-based grade 1 disc protrusion which does not abut the cord."
Foramina are groves or holes that are formed between two vertabra, and which nerves coarse out of. An osteophyte is protruding into the foramina also the disk is bulging but is does not touch the spinal cord.


"At C3-4 there is minimal left central protrusion measuring less than 3mm (grade 1). It neither abuts the cord nor produces foraminal narrowing"
There is a bulging disk but it does not touch the cord or protrude into the foramina.


sorry i have run out of time you should be able to have a basic understanding of the rest as it is just a repeat of problems that you have at other levels of your spine good luck post again to let us know how things go if you like

Thank you very much for the quick response and for taking the time to explain. I was wondering, what are your thoughts on my overall report? Decent? Bad? Horrible? Thanks again, it is truly appreciated!

One thing that is in your favour is that at no one level is there really bad pathology, only mildly bulging disks, osteophytes, and mild to moderate stenosis of the canal, and foramina the bad thing is you have problems at every level. Your age will be a factor, if you are young you will have problems later if you are advanced in years hopefully your condition will not progress this could be a problem these conditions can be progressive, i will keep my fingers crossed that the doctors can help you.

Thank you again for the reply. I'm just 42 so I guess I have a bit to worry about. I have a doctor's appointment in about two weeks, I'll let you know what he says. Thanks again

After my current MRI findings, my doctor (Non-Surgical) is recommending epidural injections bilaterally C6 to hold off future surgery with probably a 2 different level fusion with instrumentation. Any comments and/or suggestions very much appreciated. Oh, he also says the Kyphosis is nothing to worry about???

hello again Laydefish i cant really say much maybe someone who has had epidural injections can comment its probably good they are trying to avoid surgery as you have problems at all levels and they cant fuse the lot. i would be skeptical of the claim that Kyphosis is nothing to worry about.

Thanks for your time and insight. I tend to agree with you and some of the research I've found, but until and when I have a surgical consult, I'm going to try to not focusing on it, it's all a little scary especially since another surgery is definitely in my future. As far the injections, I would love to hear about past experiences/results of others who have had epidural injections, especially in cervical area. Thanks- Take Care

Please someone tell me in layman terms what this means
C4-5 disc: anterior and right posterolateral disc protrusion and osteophyte producing mild right intervertebal foraminal stenosis but no definite nerve root compression,
C5-6 disc: anterior disc protrusion and osteophyte. No significant posterior disc abnormality.
C6-7 disc: Mild concentric disc bulge without discrete disc herniation or neural impingement.
T1-2 disc: mild broad posterior disc protrusion without apparent neural impingement. IMPRESSION:mild multilevel degenerative disc disease as noted above with RIGHT FORAMINAL STENOSIS at C4-5 without apparent neural impingement. No intrathecal abnormality.
MRI LUMBAR SPINE:
Conus medullaris appears normal. There is mild anterior wedging of the T11-12 disc with mild broad based posterior disc protrusion but no discrete disc herniation or neual impingement.
T12-L1 disc: within normal limits
L1-2 disc: mild anterior disc bulge w/o posterior disc contour abnormality.
L2-3 disc: within normal limits, Mild bilateral facet arthropathy.
L3-4 disc: no disc contour abnormality. Mild bilateral facet arthropathy.
L4-5 disc: Far lateral disc protrusion on right w/o nerve root compression.
L5-S1 disc: left posterolateral disc protrusion.W/O impingement nerve root. Mild bilateral facet arthropathy. IMPRESSION: L4-5 right far lateral & L5-S1 left disc protrusions w/o nerve root impingement. Mild facet arthropathy throughout the lower Lumbar Spine. No mass seen.
Thank You Thank You

Hello Laydefish,

I have received three epidural injections containing the corticosteroid Kenalog since April 27, 2007. For me, they have helped a great deal so that I can at least function fairly well.

Okay, permit me to go on. "doctor (Non-Surgical)" Laydefish, is he/she your GP/PCP doc? I would agree that it is a good idea to at least try epidural injections containing a corticosteroid to reduce the inflammation that you may have. HOWEVER, make absolutely sure that the doctor giving you the injections is an expert at doing so. AND the doctor MUST use a fluoroscope to help him/her guide the needle to EXACTLY the location it needs to go.

My experience. Back in Feb '07 I had an epidural injection by a PA. Worked for about 2 weeks. Then in Mar '07 I had another injection by a PA. Hardly worked at all. I then saw a pain management doctor who is with the same institute. He wanted to give me another injection. I said "NO WAY. They really don't seem to work. Time for surgery!!" He convinced me to try again and said "ONLY I will give you the injections. NO other doctor or PA in this institute." WOW!!!!! Laydefish, what a difference. This doc is SUPERB. He REALLY studied the MRI images and he did use the fluoroscope. He gets that corticosteroid to EXACTLY the spot it needs to go. AND he does so with little pain to me. I sure couldn't say that about the first PA!!

So has been my experiences. I hope this helps a bit. Oh, and don't let your GP give you those injections. NO WAY!!

Take care.

RichT

"C4-5 disc: anterior and right posterolateral disc protrusion and osteophyte producing mild right intervertebal foraminal stenosis but no definite nerve root compression,"

C4-5 are the fourth, and fifth vertebra down from the top of your neck anterior is the front, the disk is protruding to the front and right, ostephytes are small bony growths, the vertebral foramina are small grooves or holes in the side towards the rear of the vertebra that the nerve roots coarse out of, stenosis means narrowing, so they have narrowed but the nerves are not being compressed.


"C5-6 disc: anterior disc protrusion and osteophyte. No significant posterior disc abnormality."

This is the next joint down its the same sort of thing refer to the C4-5 explanation


"C6-7 disc: Mild concentric disc bulge without discrete disc herniation or neural impingement"

Mild bulging all around the disk, no rupture of the disk, no nerve compression




"T1-2 disc: mild broad posterior disc protrusion without apparent neural impingement. IMPRESSION:mild multilevel degenerative disc disease as noted above with RIGHT FORAMINAL STENOSIS at C4-5 without apparent neural impingement. No intrathecal abnormality"

T1-2 is at the base of your neck, posterior is at the back, disc protrusion is not compressing the nerves. Multilevel DDD, DDD can be many things like disc narrowing, and a lack of moisture in the discs, small bony growths, and arthritis.
intrathecal means inside the tough membrane that surrounds the spinal cord there is no abnormality here.



"MRI LUMBAR SPINE:
Conus medullaris appears normal. There is mild anterior wedging of the T11-12 disc with mild broad based posterior disc protrusion but no discrete disc herniation or neual impingement."


Conus medullaris is the end of the spinal cord where it branches out into a bundle of individual nerves.
Anterior wedging is when the front of the vertebral body has narrowed, T11-12 is the seventh joint from the bottom of your spine. For the rest refer above its just a repeat of problems at other levels.


"T12-L1 disc: within normal limits"

Next joint down, its normal.


"L1-2 disc: mild anterior disc bulge w/o posterior disc contour abnormality"

Next joint down, front of disc is bulging, back of disc is ok.


"L2-3 disc: within normal limits, Mild bilateral facet arthropathy."

Disc is ok, but the small joints at the back of the vertebra that guide motion of the vertebra have arthritis.

"L3-4 disc: no disc contour abnormality. Mild bilateral facet arthropathy"

Same as previous level



"L4-5 disc: Far lateral disc protrusion on right w/o nerve root compression"

lateral means to the side, refer to previous explanation for the rest.




"L5-S1 disc: left posterolateral disc protrusion.W/O impingement nerve root. Mild bilateral facet arthropathy."

Refer above.


"No mass seen."

Thats good


This is not an MRI reading its just an explanation of some common medical terms.

All the best

I was hoping you would see my post and answer.
Is this nothing to worry about and what should be the next step. I have had 5 injections since June 2008 and (2) last Oct & Nov 2007
I see a neurosurgeon on Tuesday. I really don't like the idea of drugs to mask the pain nor do I like idea of surgery (1974) not back related-last one but if there is a chance of relief and maybe joining life again I will.
Sounds like to me worn-out back and old age.I blame everything on old age.
I know you can't make dignois but your thoughts. I also Realize doctor's knownledge is best but alot time talking to a tree, chair or another person trigger thoughts and answers to life's problems.
Again I thank You so so much.

your right i cant say much just that you have problems at many levels how old are you if you don't mind me asking. drugs have many unwanted side effects but sometimes they are necessary its your choice even the hardiest souls can loose there positive outlook on life when faced with unrelenting pain you should not fear the sensible use of pain killers when they are prescribed by a good doctor but its a good idea to try other options first.

I am 58 yr young... Have been so healthly until april 2007. Heal great from that surgery(ulnar nerve/dupuytren) but I thought dupuytren came back was so shock to find out it is nerve in neck plus lower back... unbeleivable. My GP jumped right on the pain locations and ordered MRIs and ultrasounds, blood work and starting the injections. Since Jan 08 medines taken cymbalta 30mg/60mg Lyrica, prednisone 21day dose. Side effects was alwful. Injections given:
6/11 hip/elbow 80mg DepoMedrol w/1cc lidocaine
6/24 shoulder/elbow 40mg DepoMedrol w/1cc lidocaine
7/9 in lower back I don't have that report. he tried to inject as close and where he thought the pain was... it worn off in less than 48hrs.
I appreicate your reply and thoughts Thank You

Hi again, first i think you need care from a good GP, and a specialist such as a neuro, or an orthopedic surgeon, you have a somewhat complicated medical history, i understand these doctors may be hard to find your type of health health condition is a lot of hard work for doctors i dont want to make excuses for them, but can you imagine what it would be like to have to manage hundreds of cases like yours, sometimes the support services like specialists, radiology, and pathology are very limited or nonexistent for doctors making it even harder for them.

I am a little confused as to when your health deteriorated 2007, or before 2006? i would think that your back problems have been developing over a number of years, you mention seeing a chiro i think you should probably get specialist evaluation first if you were to see a chiro you would want a bloody good one anything less could be a bit of a disaster as your back condition is somewhat advanced, these things are much easier to treat in the earlier stages. The GP you mention in your last post sounds pretty good at least he is taking some action.

Wishing you a pain free day.

i see your a night owl also... to get a full report on me check my other posting. I was so new this site, as usual didn't fully understand its workings. Live and learn
RichT has been very helpful and states the same as you.. So I kinda we (I) are thinking along the same thoughts..
I can image you gets bugged all the times but I truly appreciate your words. Again if you will check the other posting it says so much about the whens, what I have done.
I am very worried. It seems the next step (s), my GP has done them. Then what?
I have a difficute time swolloming meds. It's like the throat closes up and they just do't go down.. but when the pain gets so bad its take and up chuck and try try again.
My thoughts are: inflammation and can it be corrected.. is it causes this pain.. why me in two different location.
Like my hand surgeon stated "so have a really messed up back (lower) plus nerve in neck is now causing the closure of hand, pain, elbow, cramping not in 2 fingers but all fingers at times." just in the way he talked it sounded like oh boy, this is going to be a bumpy ride.
Chiro is now out of the question.. i understand they re-align the back and that is not my problem as I was hoping... do a little adjustment, pain would be gone and out the door i would be.
I believe my condition is getting worst no relief and getting more painful, things i was able to do month ago is not what I can do now (sitting up, bending, cleaning so on)
Thank again for your words and please re read the results and truly tell me of your thoughts and what should I ask Neuro-surgeon on Tuesday... I need all input I can get. Thank You

Hi again Gurr8 i have thoroughly read your posting in the other thread, as you know its very common for people to have back pain, after years of living with it, it progresses until it becomes unbearable, a doctor then orders an MRI, and it shows multilevel degenerative disc disease, arthritis, and sometimes ruptured discs, and compressed nerves its probably the result of a disease process that has been going on for 10, 20, or 30, years some think that inflammation is the factor that causes the whole process however its never really been proven, and other factors may be the cause such as postural problems, any way whatever the cause you probably have a lot of inflammation present in certain places in your spine, and the injections you mention ( are you having spinal injections there are a few different kinds) can be a good way to keep it in check and reduce symptoms.


Why have you got problems in two locations well you have problems in the lower half of your cervical spine (neck), and all of your lumbar spine that is your lower back from about your navel down, do you have a history of physical labour these problems are more common in people who work physical jobs.

with your problems i do not think a chiropractor would do a little adjustment and your pain would be gone.

I really don't know what you should ask your Neurosurgeon just do all you can to make sure he is good, i know this is hard, just ask him to explain any treatment he is giving you, and ask him what it is that is wrong with you that he is trying to treat, in the end if you want his treatment you will be in his hands, and you will have to trust him.

thank you for listening to me all the best gurr8

I have had the injections but not in the cervical spine and they work great for awhile. My daughter has had them in the cervical spine a few times and always ends up in so much pain she goes to th ER. Our dr says hers is not the usual response. (she is a crybaby) Good Luck!