Got my MRI results yesterday. I was focused on the thoracic herniation because I'm in a new HMO and felt I needed documentation in order to get the oral steroids and thoracic MRI without having to wait for referrals to specialists. The original report did not even mention the herniation circled above! I had to push through a bunch of nonsense at the imaging center, but finally got an amended report. I went to the walk in clinic last night because I could not get in to see my doctor. I was not looking forward to trying to get the walk-in doctor to order things that should be refered to a specialist. I got a nice HMO surprise when my new GP walked in and said, "Hey, I'm not on tonight, but I saw you are here and thought you might want to see me." Nice guy!
I started predinsone dose-pack last night. New findings on MRI show:
T1-T2 disc extrusion visualized on sagittal sequences, extends cephalad 8.5mm x 3.5mm in a/p dimension. Transverse dimension cannot be calculated because of lack of axial images.
C3-4: moderate R uncovertebral joint hypertrophy (3.5mm in a/p dimension) resulting in moderate to severe R foraminal stenosis.
C4-5: mild bilateral uncovertebral joint hypertrophy and mile R facet arthopathy resulting in mild R foraminal stenosis.
C5-6: approx 65% disc space narrowing. 2mm disc bulge. 4mm L uncovertebral joint osteophyte resulting in severe L foraminal stenosis. 3mm R uncovertebral joint osteophyte resulting in moderate R foraminal stenosis. Residual a/p canal diameter 7.5mm w/mild central stenosis.
C6-7: approx 50% disc space narrowing. Mild bilateral uncovertebral joint hypertrophy resulting in moderate bilateral foraminal stenosis.
Bummer.
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