MRIscan for sciatic endo

[Rachel20]

Hi does nyone know if a mri scan on your lower back will show sciatic endo.Thank you in advance x

[Sabrinacolada]

Hi,

I had signs of pelvic nerve and sciatic issues so actually was researching this few months ago. I am getting ready for work but will later try and find some of my resources but this is what I remember.

An MRI can show "larger" lesions on nerves for example if there was a nodule, larger build up of endo tissue or fibrosis/ scarring. But it won't show superficial lesions. It also depends on settings, specific factors when undertaking the imaging and more importantly the regions they are getting images from. Ensure they are aware of the sciatic issues. For a lower back exam they will be focusing on the spinal column , ensuring no disc disease etc as the focus but can look at the nerve branch courses.

A factor is the reffering doctors request when sent. For example mine hadn't said I had pelvic nerve signs so it was looking for deep endometresiosis. My spinal mri prior ( I lost sensation in my right leg so the a&e doctor wanted to rule out cauda equina) was interpreted by orthopedics thus they didn't comment on any of the peripheral or pelvic nerves ( said gynae will and didn't ) but commented on the spine. It was actually the pelvic mri I had privately to check for deep endo of the bowel that they had commented on the sciatic nerves on my request but admitted since not requested by clinician some of the settings / views were limited for assessing nerve courses.

when I finish work will find the resources I found.

❤️ sabrina

[Catgirl22 in reply to Sabrinacolada]

did you have contrast for your mri scan? As I am looking at having a private scan and not sure whether it needs it or not.

[Sabrinacolada in reply to Catgirl22]

yes this was with contrast. I would definantly ask prior to clarify. Be mindful that the interpreting of the scan was taking into account what the referring gynae said in my case. Thus ensure they are clear with all symptoms etc. In my case symptoms implied deep infiltrative disease post diagnostic lap but also has nerve damage signs and oddly sciatic signs just at menstruation.

Have you had any diagnostic imaging / surgery prior?

❤️Sabrina x

[Catgirl22 in reply to Sabrinacolada]

Thankyou, that’s helpful as I have been getting a bit of a pain in my kidney as well and I haven’t even mentioned the pains there, just the ones on lower right, so I will make sure I am clearer on where all the pains are.

I have had a transvaginal ultrasound a few months ago, but that didn’t show anything.

[Rachel20 in reply to Catgirl22]

Hi Sal...was just wondering what your next move is now that nothing has shown up on your transvaginal ultrasound.My gyne has just left it jist wondered if the same was said to

[Catgirl22 in reply to Rachel20]

Hi Rachel well yes she kind of tried to make out that, because everything looked fine on the ultrasound that it couldn’t be anything too serious, she said she couldn’t see endo, though I know an ultrasound doesn’t always show it up. She told me to take buscopan and not to rush into having a laparoscopy as that might cause me more issues ( I suffer from chronic pain conditions) but I am still left with this awful pain, down my right lower side that is not getting any better. So I have been thinking of getting a private mri done, to rule other things out and see if it shows up endo. Is this what you are thinking of doing too?

[Rachel20 in reply to Catgirl22]

Yes Sal.Mentioned scaitica on my one and only gyne appointment and was told in no uncertain terms that sciatica was not a symptom of endo nor did it have anything to do with endo.It threw me becaue for he past 18yrs this only happens witmy menstral cycle amd the pain is unbearable along with the pelvic cramps and other pains.Now i know many women have scaitic endo.Really want my own mri done so i really know what is going on ..instead of being dismissed really.

[Rachel20 in reply to Sabrinacolada]

thank you for that Sabrina...very interesting..what shame your referral wasnt specifically written

[Sabrinacolada in reply to Rachel20]

yes was frustrating but the imaging team were very good at reassessing the images as much as they could re nerves admiting there were some limitations with settings etc as wasn't primary focus of the mri.

Was a bit complex as when had arranged the mri with the gynae consultant post surgery it was because I was having signs of deep infiltraive disease ( defecating and urinary issues). I had signs of pelvic nerves issues ( altered urinary and defection sensation, genital numbness). But he never mentioned nerve issues on the refferal request thus it was more focused on the pelvic organs. A week before the mri I had sciatic issues and lost some sensation and proprioception of the right limb. So in only the 2 week wait for mri it had changed alot. The sciatic signs and limb numbness subsided post period!

The mri was of great use as a recto vaginal nodule and adenomyosis was found which were not seen at diagnostic lap ( there was a cpd lindle had posted from endo specialist sonographers and it makes sense now since they cannot visualise the cul de sac, rectovaginal region in its entirity). The nerve component added to the mri report just said fibrosis of left pelvic wall thus could likely be accounting for pelvic nerve signs. There wasn't any significant nodules on the sciatic nerves. There was potential spinal disc protrusion in one region which they said maybe accounting for the limb however I've only had sciatic and right limb issues at menstruation. And orthopedics had said the spine was fine on the spinal mri obtained from a&e the week prior!

So I would say make sure you give them all symptoms. If sciatic issues more at period this is significant/ more relevant to endometresiosis of the nerve. I really wish I'd clarified that further when I requested the mri addendum.

Good luck . Hope any of this helps.

❤️ Sabrina xx