What Does The Following MRI Scan Result Indicate?

Posted on Tue, 14 Jun 2016

Question: Hi I am a 34 years old male. My height is 5'6" and I weigh 101 kgs. I've been overweight for most part of my life but have reduced about 18kgs in the last few years. I have a sitting job working from home mostly and to be honest don't have best of postures. Since last week I have been feeling persistent numbness in the right side of my right foot and mild numbness in the right arm at times. I don't have any pain and the numbness is not creating any problem in doing anything. My MRI scan tells the following:
1. Mild disc bulge at L3-L4 level causing mild effacement of bilateral lateral recesses.
2. Diffuse disc bulge at L4-L5 level indenting over anterior thecal sac and causing compromise of bilateral lateral recesses (right more than left)with indention over bilateral exiting nerve roots (right more than left).
3. Diffuse disc bulge with mild posterior central protrusion at L5-S1 level causing indentation over anterior thecal sac and mild compromise of bilateral neural foramina with mild indentation over exiting nerve roots.
4. Focal T1W/T2W hyperintense lesion is seen in L3 vertebral body suggestive of small hemangioma.

I wore an uncomfortable pair of shoes in a family function for a couple of days last week and walked, ran and danced in them. Could that be a reason?

Please help me understand the meaning of this report and provide suggestions. Thanks a lot for your help!

Answered by Dr. Neeraj Kumar (6 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Compression of nerve roots in lumbar spine

Detailed Answer:
Hello Rishoosingh,
I have gone through your question and report.
The report is showing disc prolapse at L4-5 and L5-S1 levels. This is causing irritation and compression of nerves exiting from spine to lower limbs.
The symptoms in right lower limb is due to this compression.
The hemangioma commented in one vertebrae is incidental finding and not a matter of concern.
The treatment for this condition is physiotherapy regularly.
Pain modulator medication like pregabalin or amitryptiline or gabapentin can be used.
In unresponsive cases surgery is considered.
Hope you found the answer helpful.
Do get back to me for further queries.
Regards
Dr N Kumar
Neurologist

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Sonia Raina

Follow up: Dr. Neeraj Kumar (27 minutes later)

Thanks doctor! What kind of physiotherapy is suggested? Does any medication help? I don't have any kind of pain or any problem doing anything until now. Do you suggest some exercises? Attached are my latest blood reports - do these suggest anything?

Answered by Dr. Neeraj Kumar (15 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Get exercises learned under a physiotherapist

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Physiotherapy for back should be done under guidance of a physiotherapist.
Back extension exercises are the main.
Pregabalin with methylcobalamin can be used in absence of any significant pain.
Attached blood reports are normal and donot require any treatment.
Visit a neurologist for proper examination and future treatment advice accordingly.
Regards
Dr N Kumar
Neurologist

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D