[MrsWise]

#35929

Dear Dr. Corenman,

Yesterday marked 6 weeks post op L1/2 fusion. Walking, sensation of saddle/legs/feet, and bowel/bladder were all affected. I am walking unassisted now, which I am eternally grateful for, but not much else has returned in terms of sensation.

Emergency intervention based on presentation of CES. His notes read “I personally reviewed the patients MRI and am recommending surgery concerning for Cauda Equina.” Please help me understand. My MRI mentions Conus was clear, but no mention of Cauda nerves. Surgeon seemed a little surprised as to why I presented with such severity of symptoms with mild cord compression.

TECHNIQUE:
Multiplanar multisequence MR imaging of the lumbar spine was performed at
3 Tesla field strength.
FINDINGS:
Bones:Vertebral body heights are preserved. Bone marrow signal is within
normal limits. No spondylolysis or spondylolisthesis. There is there is
no scoliosis.
Conus: Normal location, signal and morphology. Unremarkable nerve roots
and filum.
Discs: There is a posterior central disc protrusion/extrusion at L1-2
that extends superiorly behind the L1 vertebra with impression on the
thecal sac. The central canal AP dimension is maintained at 9.4 mm.
There is no neural foraminal narrowing. There is a tiny posterior
central disc protrusion at L4-5 without significant central canal or
neural foraminal narrowing. The remainder of the disc spaces are
preserved with normal signal and height.
Additional findings: Visualized kidneys are unremarkable. Aorta is non
aneurysmal.
IMPRESSION:
Disc protrusions at L1-2 and L4-5 with an extrusion that extends
superiorly behind the L1 vertebra and mild central canal narrowing at
L1-2.

[Donald Corenman, MD, DC]

#35931

I am perplexed as to why you developed CES (Cauda Equina Syndrome) with the report of “central canal AP dimension is maintained at 9.4 mm” with “impression on the thecal sac” and “mild central canal narrowing”. This is not a dramatic reading of CES which normally accompanies the syndrome. You obviously had CES and apparently had the correct operation. It takes 6 months to one year to recover from CES.

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.

[MrsWise]

#35934

Thank you so much. I could sense that my Surgeon was also very perplexed. My symptoms were very dramatic in comparison to the MRI. I’m hoping for as much recovery as possible, and will make sure a watchful eye is kept on the L4-5 disc.

[Donald Corenman, MD, DC]

#35937

Please keep in touch to let us understand your recovery.

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]

#35938

Please keep in touch to let us understand your recovery.

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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