[momof1]

#35028

Hi,
Quick question on a MRI report it stated:
“There is abnormal developmental safe posterior elements of
the C2 vertebral body with deformity of the lamina of C2 which extends through medially into the
central spinal canal. There is mild impression on the posterolateral aspect of the cervical cord on
the left. This creates a mild left sided stenosis of the spinal canal.”
“Abnormal posterior elements of C2 with mild impression on the posterior left aspect of the cord by
the lamina. No evidence of myelopathy.”

Of course I have no idea what that means. I have had pain/weakness etc neck & left arm for 4 months with 0 improvements with physio/massage/heat/traction .. you name it!
Is it possible this will resolve on its own?
Thanks! Heather

[Donald Corenman, MD, DC]

#35029

His dictation “abnormal developmental safe posterior elements of the C2 vertebral body with deformity of the lamina of C2 which extends through medially into the central spinal canal. There is mild impression on the posterolateral aspect of the cervical cord on the left. This creates a mild left sided stenosis of the spinal canal” is hard to understand. If we take out the term “safe”, you have an abnormal bony protrusion that projects into the canal at C2 causing minor narrowing of the canal. There is no evidence of cord injury or significant compression.

It would be quite unlikely that this is causing your “pain/weakness etc neck & left arm for 4 months”. There must be more finding from different levels from your MRI report. Please paste them here.

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.

[Donald Corenman, MD, DC]

#35030

His dictation “abnormal developmental safe posterior elements of the C2 vertebral body with deformity of the lamina of C2 which extends through medially into the central spinal canal. There is mild impression on the posterolateral aspect of the cervical cord on the left. This creates a mild left sided stenosis of the spinal canal” is hard to understand. If we take out the term “safe”, you have an abnormal bony protrusion that projects into the canal at C2 causing minor narrowing of the canal. There is no evidence of cord injury or significant compression.

It would be quite unlikely that this is causing your “pain/weakness etc neck & left arm for 4 months”. There must be more finding from different levels from your MRI report. Please paste them here.

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.

[momof1]

#35308

Thank you for your reply.
This is the full report. I have been on 40 mg of Nortriptylene for nerve pain, which helped relieve approx 85% of the pain. However, in the last few days/week I am back to square 1 with pain in L Arm/Shoulder.

TECHNIQUE
Sagittal T2; sagittal T1; axial medic; axial T2 space.
FINDINGS
The cervical vertebral bodies are normal in height. The posterior alignment is maintained. The
intervertebral disc spacing is normal. There is abnormal developmental safe posterior elements of
the C2 vertebral body with deformity of the lamina of C2 which extends through medially into the
central spinal canal. There is mild impression on the posterolateral aspect of the cervical cord on
the left. This creates a mild left sided stenosis of the spinal canal. There is no T2 signal abnormality
within the cord to suggest myelopathic changes. The significance of this finding is uncertain. There
are no right-sided findings to account for the bilateral symptoms.
Cervical cord is otherwise normal in size and shape. There is no T2 signal abnormality within the
cord.
IMPRESSION
Abnormal posterior elements of C2 with mild impression on the posterior left aspect of the cord by
the lamina. No evidence of myelopathy.

[Donald Corenman, MD, DC]

#35311

I’m not clear what has caused the “abnormal developmental safe posterior elements of
the C2 vertebral body with deformity of the lamina of C2 which extends through medially into the
central spinal canal”. Is this a developmental error that is stable and benign or something that is an active process? If it hasn’t changed in size or appearance in years comparing serial MRIs, there is probably no significant worry. I’m not too worried about the “mild impression on the posterolateral aspect of the cervical cord on the left. This creates a mild left sided stenosis of the spinal canal” as the canal at C2 is double the normal size of the spinal cord meaning there is lots of room for the cord.

The symptoms of “nerve pain” could be from something completely different. Can you go over your symptoms using this guide?

https://neckandback.com/conditions/how-to-describe-your-history-and-symptoms-of-neck-shoulder-and-arm-pain/

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.

[momof1]

#35312

Hi Dr Corenman,
This is the first MRI on my neck. Dec 21 I experienced sudden L arm weakness, pain retrieving an item appox 5lb from an overhead position. (Dropping the item) Initial symptoms mimicked a heart attack.. chest pain straight across L chest, numbness down L arm and was a 9.
Since then, I have been doing 2x/wk chiro (but unable to do physical adjustment of spine as everything neck/shoulder/arm is so tight. 1x/biweekly massage therapy.

So, the pain is currently an 8 with movement, I put my L arm in a sling to help relieve some pressure.
Without movement, things feel around a 2. Nortiptylene 40mg was good for a little over a month keeping pain at a 2/3 but increased activity.
Pain centre of neck in back currently at 3. burning/ prickling pain radiates down shoulder blade down the back.
L shoulder currently at 8 with movement with pain near armpit and top of bicep at 9/10 with movement. Pain runs down inside of L arm to inside of elbow as well. Stabbing, sharp pain. 80% shoulder/arm/20% neck.
Same pain in R armpit, bicep but more of a dull ache pain at 2.
L arm if extended (very painful) leaves almost 0 strength in grip/torque. For example, grabbing a coffee at a drive thru causes pain to shoot to 10, and I still dropped the cup.
Mild dizziness last 2 weeks, could be a coincidence with resurgence of symptoms occurring last 2 weeks as well. Sitting to standing position as well as when I turn my head left (shoulder check while driving for example) .. dizziness is not a spinning, more of a floating and happens when I bring my head back to centre.
Currently on a leave from work (merchadiser/sales), unable to do most activities outside of walking. In 10 months I am on my 3rd Flare up and they seem to get worse each time.

Heather

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