[Buckeye13b]

#9559

I recently had an MRI done on my lower back and I am confused by all the terms that we’re put in and honestly do not remember the way it was explained. If you could please help, it would be greatly appreciated.

L4-L5: small to moderate diffuse disc bulge eccentric to the left neuroforaminal region with a concomitant small central disc protrusion which effaces the ventral thecal sac and abuts the bilateral traversing L5 nerve roots. There is mild to moderate spinal canal stenosis. Severe left and moderately severe right lateral recess effacement. Moderately severe left and moderate to moderately severe right neuroforaminal narrowing. Mild left greater than right ligamentum flavum thickening. Moderate bilateral facet arthrosis.

L5-S1: grade 1 anterolisthesis of L5 on S1 secondary to bilateral L5 pars defects with an associated small to moderate diffuse disc bulge with a concomitant annular fissure which abuts the exiting far lateral right L5 nerve root. Moderate bilateral lateral recess effacement. Mild epidural lipomatosis contributes to mild to moderate spinal canal stenosis. Moderately severe bilateral neuroforaminal narrowing. No significant ligamentum flavum thickening. Mild bilateral facet arthrosis.

Impression:

1). Spondylosis as above clinically significant relationships may exist at multiple levels. Please refer to the body report for a detailed segmental list

2) bilateral L5 pars defects with grade 1 anterolisthesis of L5 on S1.

3) otherwise, as above

PLEASE HELP ME UNDERSTAND THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Donald Corenman, MD, DC]

#9562

Remember that symptoms may not match the findings on MRI but I will assume you have the typical symptoms generated by the pathology found on MRI.

You have an isthmic spondylolisthesis of L5-S1 with a grade I slip. See the website for understanding of this diagnosis. This disorder is commonly accompanied by foraminal stenosis on both sides (see website for this diagnosis also).

At L4-5, you have bilateral lateral recess stenosis along with foraminal stenosis. Again-see website for the understanding of lateral recess stenosis.

These disorders are common to find together. The slip at L5-S1 induces the L4-5 level to “fall backwards” which stresses the disc and causes degenerative changes of this level.

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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