Got my c-spine MRI result... Really scared!!

**skrwolf** · 12-16-2009, 12:42 AM

I had my brain and cervical spine MRI done yesterday (brain with contrast, spine without). I luckily know the radiologist and he was able to get the report to me today. Here is what is says (sorry it's long):

"Impression:

C4-5: Mild diffuse posterior osteophytic ridge/disc bulge mildly indenting ventral thecal sac. No spinal canal stenosis. Neural foramen are patent.

C5-6: Mild to moderate diffuse posterior osteophytic ridge/disc bulge moderately indenting ventral thecal sac. No spinal canal stenosis. Neural foramina are patent.

C6-7: Moderate diffuse posterior ostephytic ridge/disc bulge abutting the ventral surface of the cord. No spinal canal stenosis. Neuroforamina are patent.

Then there was an addendum (after the radiologist consulted with another radiologist):

Further review of the patient's MRI shows that the moderate sized osteophytic ridge/disk bulge at C6-7 results in mild flattening of the ventral surface of the cord and the size of the cord is mildly decreased in circumference when compared to the cord above and below the C6-7 disk level. This results in some mild compression on the ventral surface of the cord. This could be a manifestation of mild cord atrophy at C6-7."

So what does this mean? I'm scared half to death - especially of the atrophy. I sent the report to a neurosurgeon. The radiologist recommended seeing a neurologist... Which one should I see?

Any help would be SO appreciated!!

Shelly :-)

**Justin** · 12-16-2009, 08:37 AM

Originally Posted by skrwolf

Then there was an addendum (after the radiologist consulted with another radiologist):

Further review of the patient's MRI shows that the moderate sized osteophytic ridge/disk bulge at C6-7 results in mild flattening of the ventral surface of the cord and the size of the cord is mildly decreased in circumference when compared to the cord above and below the C6-7 disk level. This results in some mild compression on the ventral surface of the cord. This could be a manifestation of mild cord atrophy at C6-7."

So what does this mean? I'm scared half to death - especially of the atrophy. I sent the report to a neurosurgeon. The radiologist recommended seeing a neurologist... Which one should I see?

Any help would be SO appreciated!!

Shelly :-)

Hi Shelly. The possible mild cord atrophy at C6-7 could imply many things. I would follow-up with your neurosurgeon for an expert consultation.

**skrwolf** · 12-16-2009, 09:24 AM

Justin - what kinds of things could it imply? The radiologist seemed to think I had atrophy due to the possible length of time that the disk had been bulging on the cord. Do you think this means permanent injury?

**Justin** · 12-16-2009, 09:51 AM

Originally Posted by skrwolf

Justin - what kinds of things could it imply? The radiologist seemed to think I had atrophy due to the possible length of time that the disk had been bulging on the cord. Do you think this means permanent injury?

With atrophy, there is usually loss of cells (in this case, nerve cells). If I was to comment about your situation, I would purely be speculating at this point. Sorry to be so vague, but it is best to follow-up with a medical professional.

I will say that in traumatic injury to the spinal cord swelling occurs, whereas atrophy of the spinal cord usually results from chronic or long-standing injury. Remember, take what I say with a grain of salt, as I'm not a physician.

I don't believe there is any need to be "alarmed" ... just make sure to follow-up with your neurosurgeon so that he / she can better explain what is going on in your situation. Good luck.

**skrwolf** · 12-16-2009, 11:06 AM

Well, I faxed over the report to the neurosurgeon's office at 4 p.m. yesterday and got a call at 8:10 this morning. They wanted to see me today but I have three other conflicting appointments so they are squeezing me in tomorrow. I am supposed to bring my MRI films.

I am honestly so worried at this point... I think that I need to quit reading about things on the internet until we know what we are dealing with. I've heard great things about this neurosurgeon...

Shelly

**dalhousie** · 12-16-2009, 03:57 PM

Just been reading your thread & thought I'd wish you all the best when you see your neurosurgeon. It must be a very worrying time for you - to be given a report like that with all that medical jargon & then left inevitably mulling it over. I think it's a good idea not to keep looking on the net. Since I've had spine problems I've done the same & it's made me think the worst & worry needlessly in the end. On a more positive note it must be very reassuring that your neurosurgeon is highly thought of.

**Cindylou** · 12-17-2009, 10:02 AM

Shelly,

I agree with Justin and Ruth. No need to be so alarmed (easier said than done, I know), altho I understand it can be quite unsettling to get a report like that w/ no immediate feedback. The mind can go places it shouldn't w/o "interpretation." You never mentioned whether you were in pain or not. I am going to assume you must be in some kind of discomfort or you would not have gone to get an MRI, but that would be valuable information to know. Certainly share any and all of that with the neurologist. MRI's and Cat Scan's can read like a death sentence, but if there are no symptoms, then usually nothing needs to be done. I qualify the term "usually," as there could be some instances where no symptoms still need treatment, but again, discuss all of this with your neurologist at your appointment.

Just to give you a personal example, my cervical MRI reads like a train wreck, w/ severe stenosis at my C 6-7, and alot of other bad stuff, but in my case, I am able to keep the pain demons at bay almost completely with a cervical rhizotomy (cauterization of the nerves) procedure once a year.

So hang in there and keep us posted on how your appointment goes with your neurologist, because we do care. And good luck!! :thumpup:

**skrwolf** · 12-17-2009, 11:00 AM

Thanks for all of your support and kind words. I guess what worries me the most is that I have weakness in my legs and left arm. Not enough to keep me from doing things but enough to really bother me and hurt after a lot of use. I have horrible headaches, pain in my neck, migraines that continue to increase in strength and frequency.

I told my PCP that I was kind of freaking out about this and I asked if I should be worried. He said, "yeah, you should be worried." That didn't help much!!

My appointment is at 4 today - I am so glad. It will be nice to go and find out really what I should and shouldn't be worried about. I'll post after I get home...

Thanks all!

Shelly

**Cindylou** · 12-17-2009, 10:12 PM

How did it go today Shelly with your neurologist?

Hope you got some tangible answers.

**skrwolf** · 12-17-2009, 11:50 PM

What a weird appointment. I went to see a neurosurgeon. He walked in, introduced himself, and said that he had no idea what the radiologist was talking about. He said that he looked at my MRI's and only saw a minor bulge - no compression or atrophy of the cord. He said that he just couldn't understand what the radiologist saw.

He did do an exam... My reflexes were 2+ and I had a positive Hoffman's sign on the left. I told him that I had been worried about what was going on and he basically said to stop worrying about what I have and that maybe I need to see a psychiatrist.

What the heck? I have never been so confused. He was a very odd man. Should I seek a second opinion? I do have an appointment with a neurologist on the 29th... I've seen him before and trust him. I was really hoping to come out with answers and only came out more confused!!