[Donald Corenman, MD, DC]

#11542

I am currently working on a process that will allow downloads of MRI images to a safe server but this is still a work in progress. You could type your report on this forum which should be helpful but not as accurate as if I read the images.

Dr. Corenman

PLEASE REMEMBER, THIS FORUM IS MEANT TO PROVIDE GENERAL INFORMATION ON SPINE ANATOMY, CONDITIONS AND TREATMENTS. TO GET AN ACCURATE DIAGNOSIS, YOU MUST VISIT A QUALIFIED PROFESSIONAL IN PERSON.
 
Donald Corenman, MD, DC is a highly-regarded spine surgeon, considered an expert in the area of neck and back pain. Trained as both a Medical Doctor and Doctor of Chiropractic, Dr. Corenman earned academic appointments as Clinical Assistant Professor and Assistant Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, and his research on spine surgery and rehabilitation has resulted in the publication of multiple peer-reviewed articles and two books.

[tlav86]

#11577

Hi Dr Corenman.

Since I last posted I have had an MRI done with the following written report.

Findings:

At the craniocervical junction and C1-2 level the canal is widely patent.

At C2-3 there is a minimal broad-based disc bulge which indents thecal sac anteriority. No cord compression. No foraminal narrowing.

At C3-4 there is a moderate sized broad-based posterior disc osteophyte complex which causes mild cord compression. Uncovertable and facet hypertrophy cause mild right-sided foraminal narrowing.

At C4-5 there is a small posterior central disc osteophyte complex indenting the thecal sac and causing minimal indentation on the cord. No foraminal narrowing.

At C5-6 there is a large broad-based posterior disc osteophyte complex which is more prominent to the left of the midline. This causes a moderate degree of cord compression. The C6 nerve roots are compressed bilaterally particularly on the left. Uncovertabral and facet hypertrophy cause marked left and moderate right foraminal narrowing.

At C6-7 there is a small posterior central disc protrusion which indents thecal sac. No cord compression. No foraminal narrowing. A tiny incidental right foraminal dilated nerve root sleeves measuring 4mm is noted

At C7-T1 there is no spinal stenosis or foraminal narrowing. Tiny blisters foraminal dilated nerve root sleeves measuring 2mm are noted.

Alignment of the cervical spine is normal. There is no cord signal abnormality.

Impression: There is multilevel cervical spondylotic change present with disc osteophyte complexes causing cord compression at multiple levels. This is most significant at C5-6 where there is moderate degree of cord compression and associated nerve root compression. Spinal surgery referral recommended.

Interested in your opinion on these findings please. Again my only major symptoms is a mild weakness in my left hand grip and some tingling in my left thumb and pointer finger. Physio and anti immflmatory treatment seems to not be helping… I have had symptoms for about 14 weeks no but have had an annoyance in my neck for a year now.. Not in pain really at all except for a few weeks of shoulder pain a month ago which lasted for a week. I feel totally normal except for the weakness and tingling.

Thanks for your help!

[Donald Corenman, MD, DC]

#11586

Weakness and tingling (paresthesias) are important signs of nerve root compression and dysfunction. Without examining you myself, I cannot comment on the significance of your motor weakness and the true risk to your nerve root.

Your MRI report does corroborate the source of your symptoms “(C5-6) This causes a moderate degree of cord compression. The C6 nerve roots are compressed bilaterally particularly on the left. Uncovertebral and facet hypertrophy cause marked left and moderate right foraminal narrowing”.

Generally with weakness and paresthesias, surgery should be considered. To add to this problem, you have central canal stenosis (“This causes a moderate degree of cord compression”). This means you are at risk for myelopathy or a central cord injury (see website for those descriptions).
You probably are a good candidate for an ACDF (fusion) of the C5-6 level. See a surgeon soon for a consultation.

Dr. Corenman

PLEASE REMEMBER, THIS FORUM IS MEANT TO PROVIDE GENERAL INFORMATION ON SPINE ANATOMY, CONDITIONS AND TREATMENTS. TO GET AN ACCURATE DIAGNOSIS, YOU MUST VISIT A QUALIFIED PROFESSIONAL IN PERSON.
 
Donald Corenman, MD, DC is a highly-regarded spine surgeon, considered an expert in the area of neck and back pain. Trained as both a Medical Doctor and Doctor of Chiropractic, Dr. Corenman earned academic appointments as Clinical Assistant Professor and Assistant Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, and his research on spine surgery and rehabilitation has resulted in the publication of multiple peer-reviewed articles and two books.

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