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What Does The Following Cervical MRI Report Indicate?
Question: I had cervical spine MRI and below is impression of it
CONCLUSION:
- Annular protrusion at C5-6 inter-vertebral disc causing significant compression of the anterior subarachnoid space and respective nerve roots.
- Annular bulge at C4-5 and C6-7 intervertebral discs, causing significant identation of anterior subarachnoid space
Please guide is it serious.
I am currently having only neck pain and dizziness.
CONCLUSION:
- Annular protrusion at C5-6 inter-vertebral disc causing significant compression of the anterior subarachnoid space and respective nerve roots.
- Annular bulge at C4-5 and C6-7 intervertebral discs, causing significant identation of anterior subarachnoid space
Please guide is it serious.
I am currently having only neck pain and dizziness.
Brief Answer:
MRI report interpretation
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX thanks for asking from HCM.
I can understand your concern. You are young and at this age, your MRI cervical spine is suggestive of
- Significant disc protrusion at C5-6 with nerve compression along with mild disc at C4-5/6-7 causing only dura compression (not subarachnoid compression-wrongly mentioned in report).
Now this is a MRI finding only. It can cause symptoms or it can remain silent. It can be taken seriously only if you are symptomatic because of it. Your complaint is
: Neck pain
: Dizziness
If your neck pain is sever, radiating to both sides arms and shoulders, current like, associated with tingling/numbness and/or weakness of shoulder, it means the disc protrusion at C5-6 is significant serious and it needs treatment on urgent basis.
But only pain and dizziness and no other symptoms, it can be due to disc/neck muscle spasm/poor strength of neck muscle/chronic fatigue. In such case, treatment is conservative and rest only.
Now you have to give details of your symptoms to me. Do not worry about MRI report. Only if your symptoms match with MRI reports, then we must consider MRI. Now days, false treatment is given because of only MRI report. It should be avoided in your case.
Hope you understood my point. If still in doubt, do let me know.
Thanks. Take care.
MRI report interpretation
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX thanks for asking from HCM.
I can understand your concern. You are young and at this age, your MRI cervical spine is suggestive of
- Significant disc protrusion at C5-6 with nerve compression along with mild disc at C4-5/6-7 causing only dura compression (not subarachnoid compression-wrongly mentioned in report).
Now this is a MRI finding only. It can cause symptoms or it can remain silent. It can be taken seriously only if you are symptomatic because of it. Your complaint is
: Neck pain
: Dizziness
If your neck pain is sever, radiating to both sides arms and shoulders, current like, associated with tingling/numbness and/or weakness of shoulder, it means the disc protrusion at C5-6 is significant serious and it needs treatment on urgent basis.
But only pain and dizziness and no other symptoms, it can be due to disc/neck muscle spasm/poor strength of neck muscle/chronic fatigue. In such case, treatment is conservative and rest only.
Now you have to give details of your symptoms to me. Do not worry about MRI report. Only if your symptoms match with MRI reports, then we must consider MRI. Now days, false treatment is given because of only MRI report. It should be avoided in your case.
Hope you understood my point. If still in doubt, do let me know.
Thanks. Take care.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. REMY KOSHY
Thank you for explanation.
I will tell you about the symptoms and history in detail so that you can guide me further.
It started in 2007, that time I started feeling bit of dizziness, shaky hands for few seconds. Then I went to neurologist and he suggested to have Brain CT which turn out to be normal. Hence its concluded that the symptoms are due to anxiety hence doctor prescribed antidepressant then i started feeling better. Medicine continued for around 1.5 years and post that as I recovered from it gradually dose was reduced and in 2009 it stopped and I was back to normal.
The normal state continued for 2-3 years and it was all OK. Again suddenly around in 2013 i again started feeling bit dizzy so again visited doctor. Again a CT Brain which was also normal so antidepressant started again in 2014. This time I these antidepressant was not helping much and mid of 2014 due to my continuous complaints doctor said we will get MRI brain done as its better than CT. So I did MRI Brain and which also came out normal. Also doctor advised blood tests like lipid, haemogram, B12, Vit D Sr. Createnine etc. etc. But all was normal in July 2014 except Vit D which was very less. And hence doctor continued escilatoparam (Nexito 10) along with Vit D supplement and Vit B12 supplement.
But since July 2014 I am not feeling that well as I felt post taking medicines in 2007. And am feeling like the dizziness increasing day by day. ( sometimes say once in a week i feel much better also). So due to frustration approx a month back, I again visited good neurologist in my city and he suggested to do VNG + Balance test which was also normal. And nexito 10 was again continued.
As I read from internet that dizziness can also be due to Cer. Spine problems hence I forcefully got MRI cervical spine done. (results of that already shared in prev. question). I even showed that MRI to neurophysician, he said its not till nerve and this seems to be due to driving 2 wheeler for long duration ( I am using 2 whlr daily 40 kms for more than 4 years) Recently my neck started paining and sometimes rarely feeling tingling in legs. But neurophysician said its nothing to worry with rest + physiotherapy it will go away. I sometimes feel pain in shoulder but not till hands. And neck pain is also mild and bearable.
This is all the history. Please let me know why I feel this dizziness and how can that go away.
Thank you.
I will tell you about the symptoms and history in detail so that you can guide me further.
It started in 2007, that time I started feeling bit of dizziness, shaky hands for few seconds. Then I went to neurologist and he suggested to have Brain CT which turn out to be normal. Hence its concluded that the symptoms are due to anxiety hence doctor prescribed antidepressant then i started feeling better. Medicine continued for around 1.5 years and post that as I recovered from it gradually dose was reduced and in 2009 it stopped and I was back to normal.
The normal state continued for 2-3 years and it was all OK. Again suddenly around in 2013 i again started feeling bit dizzy so again visited doctor. Again a CT Brain which was also normal so antidepressant started again in 2014. This time I these antidepressant was not helping much and mid of 2014 due to my continuous complaints doctor said we will get MRI brain done as its better than CT. So I did MRI Brain and which also came out normal. Also doctor advised blood tests like lipid, haemogram, B12, Vit D Sr. Createnine etc. etc. But all was normal in July 2014 except Vit D which was very less. And hence doctor continued escilatoparam (Nexito 10) along with Vit D supplement and Vit B12 supplement.
But since July 2014 I am not feeling that well as I felt post taking medicines in 2007. And am feeling like the dizziness increasing day by day. ( sometimes say once in a week i feel much better also). So due to frustration approx a month back, I again visited good neurologist in my city and he suggested to do VNG + Balance test which was also normal. And nexito 10 was again continued.
As I read from internet that dizziness can also be due to Cer. Spine problems hence I forcefully got MRI cervical spine done. (results of that already shared in prev. question). I even showed that MRI to neurophysician, he said its not till nerve and this seems to be due to driving 2 wheeler for long duration ( I am using 2 whlr daily 40 kms for more than 4 years) Recently my neck started paining and sometimes rarely feeling tingling in legs. But neurophysician said its nothing to worry with rest + physiotherapy it will go away. I sometimes feel pain in shoulder but not till hands. And neck pain is also mild and bearable.
This is all the history. Please let me know why I feel this dizziness and how can that go away.
Thank you.
Brief Answer:
Cause of dizziness and relation with MRI
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX welcome back.
After going through your history, I can say that
: The cervical disc is in initial stage and it is causing symptoms only after doing physical exertion for long duration. In your case, it can be using bike.
: In you, the dizziness is due to many reasons like cervical disc which becomes symptomatic intermittently after exertion, physical exertion, use of antidepressants which are sedatives also, chronic fatigue.
In case of prolonged exertion, the disc's central part tries to come out and exerts pressure over dura and nerves. It leads to neck pain, vertigo, even tingling.
You should follow few tips to get relief
: For depression or anxiety, please consult a good psychiatrist instead of neurologist. If the psychiatrist thinks that you need medication, then continue it. Otherwise stop it.
: Start exercise daily. Consult physiotherapist for neck strengthening exercise.
: Use soft cervical collar while using bike. Use it for some time and leave it after getting relief.
: You can take tablet Betahistine+Ginkgo biloba+Cinnarizine after proper prescription. It will control dizziness without sedation
: Eat healthy and sleep for 8-9 hours daily. Avoid any mental stress.
: Wait for 30-4 weeks to get relief. You will get relief only if you will take precautions. Avoid continuous forward bending of neck like looking towards mobile/laptop.
Hope it will help you. One thing keep in mind that your disc is in initial stage. If you will not take care of it, it can increase in size and cause severe symptoms.
Thanks. Take care. If any doubt, do let me know.
Cause of dizziness and relation with MRI
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX welcome back.
After going through your history, I can say that
: The cervical disc is in initial stage and it is causing symptoms only after doing physical exertion for long duration. In your case, it can be using bike.
: In you, the dizziness is due to many reasons like cervical disc which becomes symptomatic intermittently after exertion, physical exertion, use of antidepressants which are sedatives also, chronic fatigue.
In case of prolonged exertion, the disc's central part tries to come out and exerts pressure over dura and nerves. It leads to neck pain, vertigo, even tingling.
You should follow few tips to get relief
: For depression or anxiety, please consult a good psychiatrist instead of neurologist. If the psychiatrist thinks that you need medication, then continue it. Otherwise stop it.
: Start exercise daily. Consult physiotherapist for neck strengthening exercise.
: Use soft cervical collar while using bike. Use it for some time and leave it after getting relief.
: You can take tablet Betahistine+Ginkgo biloba+Cinnarizine after proper prescription. It will control dizziness without sedation
: Eat healthy and sleep for 8-9 hours daily. Avoid any mental stress.
: Wait for 30-4 weeks to get relief. You will get relief only if you will take precautions. Avoid continuous forward bending of neck like looking towards mobile/laptop.
Hope it will help you. One thing keep in mind that your disc is in initial stage. If you will not take care of it, it can increase in size and cause severe symptoms.
Thanks. Take care. If any doubt, do let me know.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. REMY KOSHY
Thank you for explaination.
Uploaded mri_pic.jpg containing actual picture taken from MRI. This will give you better visibility of whats actually wrong and % of issue. Please review the same and let me know your views after seeing the MRI picture. I thought like instead of report you will have better idea from MRI picture, and accordingly you can guide me better to overcome my symptoms of dizziness, neck pain and sometimes muscle weakness.
Looking for your expert advice.
Thank you so much.
Uploaded mri_pic.jpg containing actual picture taken from MRI. This will give you better visibility of whats actually wrong and % of issue. Please review the same and let me know your views after seeing the MRI picture. I thought like instead of report you will have better idea from MRI picture, and accordingly you can guide me better to overcome my symptoms of dizziness, neck pain and sometimes muscle weakness.
Looking for your expert advice.
Thank you so much.
Brief Answer:
MRI image interpretation
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX welcome back.
I have seen your MRI cervical spine T2 sagittal cut image. If you want better advise then please send axial cut of C3-4/C4-5/C5-6. It will help in knowing exact position of disc.
On the basis of sagittal cut, it can be said that your disc is very mild at C3-4/4-5, while mild at C5-6 level. It appears like bulge. And your disc at the same levels have become dehydrated (desiccated). It is not good, because you are young.
The disc might cause more severe problem in your life if you will not take precautions. These disc can cause your symptoms. But I request you to please rule out other causes also which I mentioned in my first answer.
And start all the precautions which I have mentioned in second answer. It will contain your disc and also reduce the dizziness. Later on with time passage, you will become symptom free.
Hope it will help you. If any doubt, do let me know.
Thanks. Take care.
MRI image interpretation
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX welcome back.
I have seen your MRI cervical spine T2 sagittal cut image. If you want better advise then please send axial cut of C3-4/C4-5/C5-6. It will help in knowing exact position of disc.
On the basis of sagittal cut, it can be said that your disc is very mild at C3-4/4-5, while mild at C5-6 level. It appears like bulge. And your disc at the same levels have become dehydrated (desiccated). It is not good, because you are young.
The disc might cause more severe problem in your life if you will not take precautions. These disc can cause your symptoms. But I request you to please rule out other causes also which I mentioned in my first answer.
And start all the precautions which I have mentioned in second answer. It will contain your disc and also reduce the dizziness. Later on with time passage, you will become symptom free.
Hope it will help you. If any doubt, do let me know.
Thanks. Take care.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
I have provided axial cut images. Not sure whether that's what you are asking for but as per my knowledge I have uploaded images. Please review the same and let me know how serious it is.
Also let me know your advice after reviewing the attached axial cut images.
Other images are on x-ray type film hence unable to upload. But whatever was present on photo film that I have uploaded.
Note: My neck pain is reduced now a bit but I am feeling like loosing balance while walking and on quick change in head position.
Thanks and regards,
XXXX
Hi, I have provided some attachments. Please review them.
Also let me know your advice after reviewing the attached axial cut images.
Other images are on x-ray type film hence unable to upload. But whatever was present on photo film that I have uploaded.
Note: My neck pain is reduced now a bit but I am feeling like loosing balance while walking and on quick change in head position.
Thanks and regards,
XXXX
Hi, I have provided some attachments. Please review them.
Brief Answer:
Review of MRI image and its interpretation
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX welcome back.
I have gone through your axial cuts of MRI. I can say that there is good news. You have very mild disc which is just pressing over dura (membranous covering of spinal cord) and your cord/nerves seem unaffected. It is good.
This dura is a pain sensitive structure. So compression of it can cause neck pain.So you should be careful in future. You can change your life style to prevent any further compression. It will permanently delay your symptoms.
As you are getting relief which is a good sign. You should continue your treatment.
Hope it will help you. You can follow the advise which I mentioned in previous answers. It will help you further.
If any doubt, do let me know.
Thanks. Take care.
Review of MRI image and its interpretation
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX welcome back.
I have gone through your axial cuts of MRI. I can say that there is good news. You have very mild disc which is just pressing over dura (membranous covering of spinal cord) and your cord/nerves seem unaffected. It is good.
This dura is a pain sensitive structure. So compression of it can cause neck pain.So you should be careful in future. You can change your life style to prevent any further compression. It will permanently delay your symptoms.
As you are getting relief which is a good sign. You should continue your treatment.
Hope it will help you. You can follow the advise which I mentioned in previous answers. It will help you further.
If any doubt, do let me know.
Thanks. Take care.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. REMY KOSHY
Answered by
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