Multiple Sclerosis :: C-spine MRI - Degenerative Changes Involving The Cervical Region
Jul 27, 2013
This is my c-spine MRI. It may or may not be the cause of my symptoms according to my PCP, see the spine doc on Tuesday. Anyone have any opinions on what this means.
DATE: 07/16/13
MRI-CERVICAL SPINE
CLINICAL INFORMATION: 47-year-old female complains of neck pain radiating to the arms with clonus in the lower extremities.
TECHNIQUE: Sagittal T1, T2 and intermediate weighted imaging. Axial T1 and gradient echo sequence.
FINDINGS: There is no prior exam for comparative purposes at the present time. There is straightening of the normal cervical lordotic curve. degenerative changes to a varying degree are present throughout the cervical region.
The C2-C3 level is unremarkable.
At the C3-C4 level, there are mild spondylotic changes present where mixed hard and soft disc material mildly deforms the ventral subarachnoid space without cord deformity. There may be minimal osseous foraminal compromise on the right.
At the C4-C5 level, there are mild spondylotic changes, slightly eccentric towards the right, without cord encroachment. There may be minimal osseous foraminal compromise on the right.
At the C5-C6 level, there are mild to moderate spondylotic changes present where mixed hard and soft disc material approaches but does not deform the ventral surface of the cervical spinal cord. There is at least a mild degree of osseous foraminal encroachment, left greater than right.
There are also mild to moderate spondylotic changes at C6-C7 level without cord encroachment. There is at least a mild degree of osseous foraminal encroachment on the left neural foramen. The spinal cord demonstrates normal caliber and normal signal intensity pattern throughout its length. The region of the craniocervical junction is normal.
Unsigned transcriptions represent a preliminary report And do not reflect a medical or legal document
IMPRESSION: Degenerative changes involving the cervical region, as detailed above. There is at least a mild degree of foraminal encroachment multiple levels.
Followup as clinically warranted
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I've been having pain and neck stiffness for years, and also have rheumatoid arthritis. Several months ago I started having "pins and needles" feeling in my left arm that became more and more intense from my shoulder down into my hand, mostly my thumb. I had an MRI, this is the result:
C2-3: There is a small posterior right lateral disc osteophyte complex as well as advanced facet arthropathy, particularly involving the right facet joint. This causes marked narrowing of the right neural foramen.
C3-4: There is moderate facet arthropathy, causing moderate narrowing of the left neural foramen. No evidence of canal stenosis. Right neural foramen appears patent.
C4-5: There is mild disc space narrowing and a right paracentral posterior disc/osteophyte complex causing minimal ventral impression on the thecal sac and mild narrowing of the right neural foramen. There is also moderate right facet arthropathy.
C5-6: There is advanced disc space narrowing, with prominent spurring both anteriorly and posteriorly. There is endplate sclerosis on both sides of the disc space. A prominent central posterior disc/osteophyte complex causes moderate to severe canal stenosis at this level with mild flattening of the cord. There is also moderate bilateral facet arthropathy. Neural foramina are significantly compromised at this level.
C6-7: There is a small posterior disc/osteophyte complex with minimal ventral impression on the thecal sac, but no significant canal stenosis or neural foraminal narrowing.
C7-T1: Normal.
OTHER: There is degeneration and narrowing at the C1-2 articulation with some irregularity of the dens.
CONCLUSION: Advanced degenerative disc disease involving the cervical spine, which is most severe at C5-6 with canal stenosis and bilateral neural foraminal narrowing at this level.
My doctor never called me, just sent me an email that said "no bulging disks, just arthritis", and he suggested I go see a pain management doctor. What should I do? I am having a really bad day today, my arm has been asleep more than it has been awake, and it's becoming more painful.
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The doctor said the lung tissue is possible (mild) pneumonia. I'm less concerned about that, and I'm being treated with antibiotics. However, I have no idea what "degenerative change is present in the thoracic spine" means. He said nothing about that, but he's an allergy/asthma specialist, so it's not really his field...
Here's what the whole thing says:
"Minimal linear infiltrate is present in the left base. The lungs are otherwise clear. The cardiomediastinal silhouette is normal size and configuration. No pneumothorax or pleural effusion is identified. The pulmonary vascularity is normal. Minimal degenerative change is present in the thoracic spine."
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My father is diagnosed with primary liver cancer with multiple lesions involving caudate, right and left lobe. enhancing thrombus is also seen on left and right portal vein. In a separate CT of the chest, lung nodules are seen and enlarged mediastinal lymph node is seen. He has been put of Sorafenib and doctors say there is no other treatment left
Till now my father is very normal, he has no pain, there is nothing unusual seen except for a little loss of appetite. Doctors have told us he has only 3-6 months left but by seeing him, no one can imagine that. Can someone help me explain what should i expect in future.
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Clinical Notes: Radiculopathy.
Findings: Reversal of the cervical lordosis associated with a 2mm grade 1 degenerative anterolisthesis at C3/4. Multilevel disc desiccation, loss of disc height and degenerative anterior marginal end plate osteophytic spurring. Multilevel facet joint degenerative arthropathy. No suspicious bone marrow signal abnormality. No paravertebral soft tissue abnormality. The cervicomedullary junction is normally sited with the spinal cord of normal signal and volume down to the most visualised level at D4/5.
C2/3: Moderate left facet joint degenerative arthropathy with mild left foraminal narrowing.
C3/4: Anterolisthesis, a small superiorly pointing central disc extrusion, moderate bilateral uncovertebral and marked left plus mild right facet joint degenerative arthropathy, the latter associated with effusions bilaterally. Moderate canal stenosis with mild cord flattening. Severe left and moderate to severe right foraminal narrowing with impingement at both exciting C4 nerve roots.
C4/5: Broadbased disc bar, moderate right and mild left uncovertebral plus moderate canal stenosis with mild cord flattening on the right. Severe right and mild left foraminal narrowing with impingement of the exiting right C5 nerve root.
C5/6: Small broad based disc bar and moderate left uncovertebral joint degenerative arthropathy. Mild to moderate canal stenosis with mild cord flattening on the left. Severe left foraminal narrowing with impingement of the exiting left C6 nerve root.
C6/7: Small broad based disc bar and moderate bilateral uncovertebral joint degenerative arthropathy. Mild central canal stenosis. Severe bilateral foraminal narrowing with impingement at both exciting C7 nerve roots.
C7/T1 to T2/3: Posterior disc contour is normal.
T3/4 and T4/5: Moderate right facet joint degenerative arthropathy with moderate right foraminal narrowing and impingement of the exiting right T3 and T4 nerve roots.
Conclusion: Multilevel degenerative spondylotic change as described. Spinal canal stenosis associated with mild cord flattening between C4/5 and C6/7. Compressive foraminal narrowing seen bilaterally at C3/4, right at C4/5, left at C5/6, bilaterally at C6/7 and on the right at T3/4 and T4/5.
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CT c-spine Findings: There is postoperative change related to previous c5 c6 interiors fusion spacer with anterior retention hardware placement. There is no evidence of hardware fracture or loosening, alignment of the cervical spine is maintained. There is no findings of acute fracture or subluxation. Craniocervical junction is intact. C1-C2, C2-C3,C3-C4 no disc bulge or disc protrusion. No central canal stenosis or neural forAmina narrowing, within limitations of ct. C4-C5 small posterior disc osteophyte complex partially effaces the thecal sac without significant central canal or neural foraminal. C5-C6,C6-C7,C7-T1 no disc bulge or protrusion.
Impression, postoperative change at c5,c6 fusion. No evidence of hardware failure or acute fracture or subluxation of the cervical spine.
MRI findings: There is susceptibility artifact at C5-C6 related to intermediate fusion and cervical retention hardware placement.
C2-C3, C3-C4 , No disc bulge or disc protrusion. No canal stenosis or neural foraminal narrowing.
C4-C5 there is a 3 mm central disc protrusion with superimposed posterior endpapers osteophyte which partially enfaces the thecal sac. AP diameter the central canal measures 1.0cm. There is no significant central canal or neural foraminal narrowing.
C5-C6,C6-C7,C7-T1 no disc bulge or disc protrusion. No central stenosis or neural foraminal.
Impression: mild discogenic degenerative change at c4-c5. No significant central canal or neural foraminal seen at any level. Postoperative change c5-c6 anterior fusion.
I thought I was doing better from the first surgery. Pain, tingling, and numbness subsided, as well as migraines. Few months thst ago I get excruciating pain in my neck and shoulder with headaches again. I've seen my neurologist, but he says to go back to ortho. I go next thursday. I was hoping to get English what this means. My first mri and ct before surgery was quite obvious, and my pcp gave me the basics. The pain meds now im on aren't helping, in fact not even touching tje pain. Oxycodone 10/325 every 4-6 hours for breakthrough pain.
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I am diagnosed with DISH about 10 years back. My cervical and lumbar spine is fused due growth of calcifications and having lot of pain. my neck movements are restricted and with lot of pain. my posture is also disturbed and could not walk straight. My neck is bent forward and could not lift it straight to its original position. I underwent laminectomy surgery for lumbar spine L3 to L5 and S1 and its is fused by fixing pedicle screws. At present i am not taking any medicine for DISH. of course i am diabetic and hypertensive but under control. Recently a stunt is implanted as there was a block in LCX vessel.
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It all started with the feeling of hot water being poured on my right foot. Started out slowly, then became very frequent and has slowly gotten better - now I only feel a sensation of "heat" pressing on my right foot occasionally. The worst of it lasted nearly 8 months. During that time I also had a worsening of many other symptoms such as: fatigue, horrible tremors, dizziness, nausea (from the dizziness), brain fog, chronic headaches/migraines, weakness in my entire right side, thighs that twitch and "pop" when I get warm, severe muscle cramping, vision changes also when I am warm, and urinary frequency problems. I say worsening because I have had some of these symptoms for years and just blew them off. In fact, I had a period of time about 20 years ago when I believe I was having something like the "ms hug" (really sever and unexplained pain in my ribs), as well as a hot feeling on half of my face, and my neurologist at that time said "you probably have some autoimmune disease that will show up later in life". I've had chronic daily headache and migraines for more than 20 years, and an essential tremor for about 10 years that has worsened lately. I also have an unrelated autoimmune disease, which I have been told makes it more likely that I have another (but which one?!). MS was suspected so...
I've been seeing a neurologist (and a PCP and a rheumatologist) for these symptoms for a while now and feel like I've had every test under the sun. I've had a normal cbc, sed rate, hemoglobin, basic metabolic panel, tsh, b12, all kinds of vitamin and mineral levels, folate, lyme test, MRI of brain and lumbar spine, MRI of brain, and an EMG. I have not had a c-spine MRI and wondering if there is a reason it was not included in these tests. So far the only thing that has come back was a positive ANA (which I believe is from my other autoimmune thing) and a low vitamin D (23), which fell from a level of 58 in under a year. I've been supplementing for more than 4 months. My neuro did not think that ALL of my symptoms could be from the D. Some, perhaps, but not all. Why does he think this, I don't know!
I recently finished a taper of prednisone and feel like the "fog" has lifted, like my brain is working again - hooray. My main symptoms now seem to be fatigue (it's insane), urinary problems, and some newer problems with my left foot (not the foot I was originally having problems with) - where it will cramp up for days and days (two and a half weeks one time), just like a never ending cramp. When it's not cramping I get feelings of heat, or sometimes just a vibrating feeling. The cramping can be very painful, the "hot" feelings are just strange. I've also now started having problems with jumping/twitching muscles in my left hand and arm (different than my normal tremor). I continue to have some right-side weakness.
So I'm wondering, do these symptoms sound as though they could all be because of the vitamin d? I've got a month until I see the doctor again, and he has been trying to push some meds on me, but I wouldn't want to start something if it's all because of the D. Since supplementing, I have had some improvements in my cognitive symptoms, but not much else.
Lastly, my neuro said he may send me to an MS specialist for a second opinion if I am still having problems next month... but if my MRIs are all clean, then there surely must be a more likely explanation, right? I just don't know why he is so sure that the low d couldn't be causing everything. He said that it was very unlikely because my levels had previously been ok and the severity of my symptoms would more match someone who had been very deficient for a much longer time. Does that sound logical? Would an MS specialist be able to tell me anything new?
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Hello everyone,
Back in March of this year I ended up heading to the emergency room for this strange numbness feeling that began in my hands and feet and then travelled throughout the rest of my body; it lasted about five or six days and then went away completely. I was in the hospital for four days and while I was there I had a CT, lumbar puncture, and an MRI of my brain, all of which were normal. I ended up with a diagnosis of 'post-viral acroparasthesia' and was told that I would be fine.
However, this numbness came back again a couple weeks later. I went back to the emergency room and they said that it wasn't that out of the ordinary for this happen again but gave me a referral to a neurologist who then ordered three more tests: 1) peripheral nerves, 2) evoked potentials, and 3) an MRI of my spine. I've done the peripheral nerve test and that was normal and I have to wait a bit to go to the other tests. I've also had my blood tested for pretty much everything and it's all been normal.
But throughout all the months that I've been waiting to follow-up with the neuro, the numbness as well as some other strange symptoms keep coming out of nowhere (seemingly) and going away. I get really bad tension headaches, lightheadedness, numbness and tingling, fatigue, frequently urinating (sometimes I wake up four times throughout the night), feel a massive brain fog, and more generally I just feel a great deal of malaise. I usually feel like this for four-five days in a row every couple of weeks and then feel completely fine.
These symptoms are pretty ambiguous but MS is something that I'm pretty worried about. My dad has it and is in the latter stages so the doctor's are considering it a possibility. I've seen quite a few doctors now and they haven't been able really figure this out. The most insightful thing that I have been told is that I could have some type of virus, which sometimes may last for a long period of time, and this might explain why I'm getting sick so frequently. I have just been told that I'm going to have to wait to see the neurologist and have anything neurological ruled out.
Whatever is wrong with me is very frustrating. I'm 22 years old working on my university degree and being sick so frequently has taken a huge tole on my academic performance. Also, financially I'm not doing so great and have been cycling through jobs...I mostly end up quitting or getting fired due to the fact that it's been very hard to work like this; it's really causing me a lot of stress.
Prior to all of this I have been quite healthy. I'm very athletic and go out of my way to eat healthy. I don't drink any alcohol, don't do any drugs, and quit smoking cigarettes back in January.
Anything to suggest? Whatever is happening to me is really messing up my life. I can't afford to be so sick all the time and I feel so desperate to know what's wrong.
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I have noticed some symptoms that I have developed in recent years that I believe to be symptoms of MS. I am 62, female and concerned that I may have the disease. It's affecting my arm, hand and head and I didn't put it together until I went to a yoga class and it just came to me to check out the symptoms. I have been having tremors, spasms, sometimes painful, in my arm for a few years and it's gotten progressively worse. Last year I noticed my head would shake if my arm was in a certain position. I went to an orthopedist and he said it was due to an old cervical fracture so I let it go. I am going to see my primary doctor and ask for their opinion. But I would like to know if I'm too old to develop MS.
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I am mid process during the diagnosis (I've had the MRI with and without contrast and get results Monday. I'm currently refusing LP and have the evoked potentials scheduled). If I were to be diagnosed (still hoping not) I have read a lot about being gluten free and that helping with symptoms. As a matter of fact, I may try it regardless of diagnosis to see if it helps. But, has anyone with MS tried it? Did it help?
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I was recently referred to a new neurologist. I saw him this past Friday and really liked him. I have had a lot of test run at this point. Including brain MRI which shows what my doctor called one "MS" lesion and one "ischemic" lesion. I am so confused when it comes to lesions. My new neurologist is scheduling a lumbar puncture and will do a MS panel. He also ordered a copper level. Anyone know the reason behind this? I was curious...I don't think I have ever had a copper level done.
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Just about every time I bend my neck forward I have pain that extends upward to the base of my skull and tingling up my head to envelope mostly the upper left side of my head. I am guessing I am having a relapse. I was unable to see my neurologist as its impossible to get in to see him for months. So a local clinic doctor gave me prednisone. So far it's the only thing helping. I have already been diagnosed with Ms but the only thing I have found is people speaking of Lhermitte's that run down the spine. Do I need a new MRI?
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The neuro scrapped the bottom of my foot and could not get it to jump like it used to. he kept trying but nothing happened. I thought this was important but nothing was said and when I asked my physician, he said this was normal. what's it mean if the foot doesn't react?
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Anyone else here experience extremely cold feet? Last night I was up till 3am because they felt so cold. When I feel them with my hands after repeatedly trying to warm them, they don't feel cold to the touch anymore but still feel cold... It got to the point last night where they were painful. They feel cold all day too though I'm able to ignore it somewhat when I'm walking around and doing other things. At night, it's not something I can ignore and it's keeping me awake. What do you do if you experience this? I should mention I've had numbness in my legs below the knee and feet for sometime now.
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I was diagnosed with RRMS in 2000 in the middle of flare which caused numbness in my face and just a weird feeling when I walked. I have been fortunate not to have experienced too many problems aside from a couple of minor flares and the usual fatigue that goes along with MS.
Last week I was on my computer and all of a sudden I felt like I was not quite sure what was real...thoughts racing from one thing to another. I kept thinking of things and would immediately wonder if it happened. I finally decided to go the the ER. Doc did a neuro exam and said it was OK. I also thought I had a UTI but urine came back clear. He told me to go home and rest. The next morning when I talked to my daughter she said I sounded weird and it was taking me a long me to explain things. The MS nurse also said my speech seemed a little off and slow. Neurologist was out of town but when he came back he told her to call me to set up an EEG because it could have been a seizure. Since then my hand tremor has been more pronounced and weird little symptoms like twitches and sort of an internal tremor in my legs when I walk. I have the EEG next week and then will see my neuro.
I was just wondering else has had something similar. It was distressing to me because I can't really remember things I am usually right on top of; I couldn't remember my meds (I have a list at least). I felt like I lost time and was not sure how much.
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Since doctors don't seem to want to help me figure out what's wrong, I'm trying to investigate my various symptoms to find potential diseases to rule out.
For the past two and a half years, I've had a problem with frequent urination. No incontinence of any kind, but I tend to pee on average 12-20 times a day. Sometimes I'll be up one or two times at night, sometimes more and sometimes not at all. I DO drink quite a bit of fluid. I tend to average 50-100+ ounces of fluid a day. Usually once a day I'll have a cup of tea, but I don't drink a ton of coffee or any soda at all. I am always thirsty, feel dehydrated all the time, mouth is dry, lips are chapped, light headed and dizzy often, even on the days I'm drinking 100+ ounces of water. I work in an office and don't do anything strenuous that results in sweating. When I do pee, sometimes it's only ten or fifteen minutes before I have to go again. Most of the time, I'm producing a full volume of pee, almost never is it just a few drops or a little bit. My urinalysis and cultures come back normal.
Went to the gynecologist today, he said my bladder is working fine and that when I pee, I am emptying my bladder all the way. His suggestion was to drink less. I'm thinking a 31 year old woman who does not have diabetes or a UTI that's lasted for 2.5 years shouldn't not only have this constant need to pee, but also this constant need to drink and feeling of dehydration. I went to a neuroendocrinologist because I truly believe with my other symptoms, I have some kind of pituitary problem going on (Cushings and/or GHD) but he laughed and blew me off because Hey, it's rare, therefore you don't have it.
Should I ask my PCP about looking into MS? In addition to the frequent urination, I have a great deal of cognitive issues (memory loss / retention problems, concentration problems, shortened attention span, sometimes can't speak properly), depression and anxiety, eye issues (wicked light sensitive, blurry vision, hurts to look up or to the sides), stiff and painful joints and muscles, muscle weakness, occasional tingling in hands or feet, INCREDIBLY fatigued, dizziness and lightheadedness, vertigo, occasional balance issues, and trembling / vibrations in body.
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First off my name's Katherine and my mother has Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis. and I'm here on her behalf. She's in a wheelchair and in a nursing home. She's of sound mind but here lately she seems to be getting a cold and fever every month or so. I know those with MS has very week immune systems and have a hard time fighting off simple colds . My question is what are some good vitamins to help her keep from getting sick as much?
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I am sitting at work, like always, when all of a sudden.... inside my head (in the top, middle, and behind my forehead) I began to feel what seemed to be a muscle spasm. What? Rationalizing, I think... Our brains are muscles. Right? So it could be a muscle spasm. Whoa... I feel dizzy and lightheaded for a little bit. Now, I feel like my head is full (stuffed full) of cotton or something. It isn't in my ears. It wasn't my eyes. It was "in my head". WOW.
I experienced this sensation of by brain shaking that was followed by dizziness. The "brain shake" felt like a jolt and then vibration/spasm that lasted about 5 seconds. I feel like the room is spinning and tilting and I was about to fall over (even though I was sitting down). The dizziness lasted about 2 minutes or so. The weird feeling of fullness in my head is still there.
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Hi 31 yo female here! In march my Vitamin d was at 10. The DR told me 5000iu daily d3 until further notice.
One month ago I went to ER and DR for nuerological prolems. Pins and Needles in my extremities that radiate up from feet. Since then it sometimes affects my head and rib areas. I have had a tightness in my ribs that was painful a few times. Trouble with speech, focusing, walking, feet heaviness (after a long day of work), extreme fatigue, migraines (4 in a timeline of 2 weeks), muscle spasms, sharp pains in my head and lower back.
My primary physician referred me to a nuerologist and he has been testing me for MS and TIA, I had 2 MRIS 2 CT scans nerve test all normal, tested for lupus ect. Next week I"ll have blood results from vitamin d (6 months ago 10) again, b12 (6 months ago normal) again, cooper, choloestrol panel (6 months ago 132)
I can't go on like this. I have responsibilities. I need answers! Please sugs!
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I'm aged 28 year old female and feel over all fit in myself i go to the gym etc. However for around 3 year's i have had this tingling all over my body. It all started one night when i felt all panicie and just in general detached from life i had night sweats i felt like i was on another planet and it was very very scary from then on i developed this tingling.
there is not a day that don't have it I'm going out of my mind as I'm sure i have ms i also get other things like twitching,neck grinding,the tingling is worse after exercise the doctors don't seem to think there is anything wrong with me
I have done boxing since i was 16 could this have something to do with it ? i have never been hit hard or anything.
the tingling is sometimes itchy and in wide areas like the top of my leg's,stomach, sometimes it's just in a very small area. it last for 1 sec to 5 sec
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