English: MRI of lumbar spine T2-weighted animated from series of 12

Radiologist's report:

PROCEDURE: MRI of the lumbar spine without and with IV contrast

CLINICAL HISTORY: Lumbar pain.

COMPARISON: 03/12/2013

TECHNIQUE: Multiplanar multisequence MR imaging of the lumbar spine was performed before and after uneventful IV contrastI administraion (10 mm Magnevist).

FINDNGS: The lumbar vertebral bodies are in satisfactory alignment without fracture or subluxation. The vertebral body heights are maintained. No abnormal bone marrow signal is identified. The distal spinal cord and conus medullaris are unremarkable. The paravertebral soft tissues are normal. Post- contrast imaging shows no abnormal enhancement.

The L1-2 through L3-4 levels are unremarkable.

The L4-5 and L5-S1 level show stable mild degenerative changes including disc desiccation and osteophyte formation. Mild disc bulges at both levels are stable both levels show mild left lateral recess narrowing with encroachment upon the transiting left L5 and S1 nerve roots respectively. The minimal annular tear at L4-5 is stable as well.

IMPRESSION: Stable mild degenerative changes and mild disc bulges at L4-5 and L5-S1 with stable minimal annular tear at L4-5. Stable mild left lateral recess narrowing at both levels with encroachment upon the transiting left L5 and S1 nerve roots respectively.

Special note: the region of hyper-intensity (white oval) at L5-S1 facet joint (according to my spine surgeon) is a lesion due to degenerative changes in the facet joint capsule. Not noted on the above report but mentioned in previous studies is significant degenerative changes to the facet joints (arthrosis) at the L5-S1 level and also L4-L5 level to a lesser degree.