What does a cervical spine MRI indicate?

Question

Hi doctor,

I would just like to have my MRI (Magnetic resonance Imaging) reports in layman's terms. At C3-C4, the annulus fibrosis is mildly bulging. The facet joints and uncovertebral joints appear normal.

At C4-C5, there is degenerative disc disease with disc space narrowing. There is a broad-based focal disc protrusion extending from the right to the left lateral recess with associated bilateral uncovertebral joint hypertrophy, right greater than left, causing predominantly right-sided foraminal stenosis. At C5-C6, there is diffuse bulging of the annulus fibrosis.

Also, there appears to be a superimposed focal disc protrusion within the intervertebral foramina on the right associated with right-sided uncovertebral joint hypertrophy and, to a lesser extent, facet arthropathy, causing severe right-sided foraminal stenosis on axial image.

The facet joints and uncovertebral joints appear normal, and there is an obliteration of the intervertebral disc space. At C7-T1, the intervertebral disc seems normal. Sagittal images of the conus medullaris appear normal. The impression is reported as degenerative changes and focal disc protrusion at C4-C5 and C5-C6.

Please guide.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

According to your reports (attachment removed to protect patient identity), you have undergone surgery at the level of C6-C7, which are the 6th and 7th bones of the spine in the neck. At the level of C5-C6, due to disc protrusion and joint thickening, the space around the nerve is narrowed, resulting in compression of the nerves, which is more on the right side than on the left side.

Similarly, one level above, at the C4-C5 level, there is also a mild disc bulge. There is not much nerve compression. Because of that, you might be having neck pain as well as pain in the arms. To come to a conclusion about the problem, you need to see a doctor and get clinically examined.

I hope this helps.

Thank you.