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Q: MRI explanation
asked by: house777 on April 19th, 2008
New User
Hi,
I have been dealing with back pain for a while, and it got worse in January. When I went to the doctor, I found out I had a 45 degree curve in my lumbar area. He sent me for an MRI, and I have the report but he said he has nothing to do with disc problems and I would have to go to a spinal surgeon for a referral.

I am frustrated because now I have to wait all over again for insurance approval - meanwhile I am in pain!!

Can anyone help me define these results? I tried going online myself, but I have found it confusing.

L1-L2 There is central/right paracentral 3mm disk protrusion with some associated posterior osteophytic spurring. The neural foramina are patent bilaterally and there is mild indentation of the ventral thecal sac without frank spinal canal stenosis.

L4-L5 There is a right paracentral 2mm disk protrusion and bulging. There may be minimal effacement of the inferior right perineural fat plane without any significant encroachment upon the nerve root. Bilateral facet joint arthropathy is noted.

There is a linear high signal intensity zone in the left lateral aspect of the disk posteriorly, representative of an annular tear.

All I know is, it hurts!!!!!

Thanks in advance Very Happy
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rollar64
replied on April 21st, 2008
Experienced User
hi house

L1-L2 are the fourth and the fifth vertebra from the bottom, there is a three millimeter bulging disk at the back, and near the center of the disk with some small bony growth's (osteophytic spurring). The neural foramina are grooves at the sides of your vertebra that the nerves coarse out of patent means they are open as they should be.

"Mild indentation of the ventral thecal sac without frank spinal canal stenosis."
this means something probably the disk is touching one of the membranes that surrounds your spinal cord without any significant narrowing of your spinal canal.

L4-L5 this is the junction between your two bottom vertebra again there is a small disk bulge at the back of the disk, and near the center

"There may be minimal effacement of the inferior right perineural fat plane without any significant encroachment upon the nerve root"
this means there is something pushing or rubbing on the fat that surrounds your nerve root.

"Bilateral facet joint arthropathy is noted."
This means you have arhtritis in the small joints at the back of your spine that guide and restrict exessive motion.

"There is a linear high signal intensity zone in the left lateral aspect of the disk posteriorly, representative of an annular tear."

this means you probably have a tear in the outer layer of the disk on the left side towards the back .

good luck house
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