Multilevel spondylotic change progression at C6-C7 of a left paracentral disc extrusion which effaces the thecal sac and displaces the cord

What does this means? It was my impression on my MRI

[croc644]

Hello,

I assume that you picked up this medical phraseology from a meeting with the consultant with the MRI on the screen in front of both of you. I can't think why this was not then explained to you.

The consultant that I met with went through the images from the 'normal' bits to C5 and C6 where the cervical spondylosis was evident - the discs are pear shaped and impact on where the nerves travel through the bony bits (can't remember the medical term).

This explained the extreme pain in my right arm down to the fingers. The consultant then went through treatment options, of which I've tried a few. Thankfully the pain is not constant now - no explanation but good.

Back to the GP/ Consultant then?

regards Sheila

[earthwitch]

Best to ask your doctor to explain. My understanding is that the thecal sac is the area kind of encasing the spinal cord, so if bits of bone are pressing into that its definite damage, though may not necessarily be causing problems (can be age related degeneration). Displacing the spinal cord means that its being pushed a bit - again, that may or may not mean that the nerve fibres through the spinal cord are being compressed. If you have neurological abnormalities on neuro examination, then that might explain why. But it could be quite possible that its not causing any neurologicalproblem. Really you need to discuss it with the neurosurgeon or neurologist who ordered the test because they will relate what they see on the MRI with your actual symptoms. To put it in context, an enormous amount of people will show abnormalities in their spine if they have an MRI, but most of those won't be having any problems with that. For it to be significant the areas of damage seen on MRI have to match exactly with the type of symptoms you are experiencing.

[Hidden]

In very general terms and my non-professional understanding of the report, you have a disc that is not in it's correct position, and it is pressing on your spinal cord. You also have spondylitis - abnormal curvature of the spine which may or may not have caused the disc problem.

Best to ask you gp or consultant for a detailed report.

[earthwitch in reply to Hidden]

spondylosis - a painful condition of the spine resulting from the degeneration of the intervertebral discs.

spine-health.com/glossary/s...

Spondylitis - Inflammation of one or more of the vertebrae of the spine

medicinenet.com/script/main...

Spondylotic refers to spondylosis (degeneration) rather than spondylitis (inflammation).