2024 L-Spine MRI Results

# L-Spine MRI 2024-07-03

## Multiple Levels

Facet degenerative changes — Facet Disease 

## L2-L3

Ligamentum flavum hypertrophy — a condition that occurs when the ligamentum flavum (LF) thickens due to stress on the spine The LF is a ligament that runs along the back of the spinal canal and is made up of elastic fibers that allow it to bend and stretch as the spine moves. When the LF thickens, it can compress the spinal cord or nerves, which can cause pain and even disability.

## L3-L4

Disc bulge – A bulging disc, also known as a herniated disc, is when the spongy disc between the vertebrae in the spine bulges out. This can happen as people age and their discs lose fluid, become less flexible, and show signs of wear and tear. The outer ring of the disc can break down, allowing the inner part, or nucleus, to bulge out.

## L4-L5

Broad-based central left paracentral chronic appearing disc herniation — A broad-based central left paracentral chronic appearing disc herniation is a complex medical condition that involves a disc in the spinal column protruding beyond its normal boundaries:
* Broad-based: Involves 25–50% of the disc's circumference
* Central: Pain that occurs on one side of the body
* Paracentral: Affects the lower nerve root 

Displaces the left L5 nerve root posteriorly — Posterior displacement of the fifth lumbar vertebra (L5) is a common cause of severe back pain. It can occur due to an anatomical variation in the facets of the lateral articulations between the L5 and first sacral vertebrae. 

Very mild central canal stenosis — Spinal stenosis can put pressure on the spinal cord and the nerves that travel through the spine. It mostly affects the neck or lower back. The most common cause is wear-and-tear changes in the spine from arthritis. Most people with the condition are older than 50.

Posterior vertebral body osteophyte — Posterior vertebral osteophytes, also known as bone spurs, are abnormal bony growths that develop at the back of the spine. They are a common form of osteoarthritis and are associated with aging, intervertebral disc degeneration, and other conditions.

## L5-S1

Chronic appearing central disc herniation with associated annular tear — A chronic appearing central disc herniation with associated annular tear can be a painful and debilitating condition. It can occur when the thick outer layer of a vertebral disc, called the annulus fibrosis, is torn or cracked, which is known as an annular tear. This can happen naturally as a result of aging or due to external factors like injury or abnormal stress.

Effacement of the anterior underlying epidural fat — Epidural fat effacement can be a sign of spinal epidural lipomatosis (SEL), a rare disorder that causes an abnormal amount of fat to build up in the epidural space. This fat can compress the spinal cord and nerves, narrowing the spinal canal and limiting the size of the dural sac. Symptoms of SEL can include:
* Back pain
* Weakness
* Loss of sensation
* Slow or fast reflexes
* Myelopathy — a spinal cord injury that can cause nerve dysfunction. It occurs when the spinal cord is compressed or constricted due to trauma, degenerative disease, or other conditions. 
* Radiculopathy —  one or more nerve roots in the spinal column are compressed or irritated. This can happen at any level of the spine, but is most common in the lower cervical (neck) and lower lumbar (low back) areas.
* Neurogenic claudication — also known as pseudoclaudication, is a condition that causes leg pain, weakness, and heaviness when walking. It's caused by compression of the spinal nerves in the lower spine
* Difficulty voiding
* Cauda equina syndrome — a condition that occurs when the bundle of nerves below the end of the spinal cord known as the cauda equina is damaged. Signs and symptoms include low back pain, pain that radiates down the leg, numbness, and loss of bowel or bladder control. Onset may be rapid or gradual.