What do certain terms mean on your MRI report?
I’ve explained them for you below.
What is a Diffuse Cervical Bulge?
A term you may encounter reading your MRI report, diffuse cervical bulge means a generalized disc bulge of one of spinal discs of the neck (cervical spine). This bulging material may contact or "pinch" the thecal sac or nerve roots.
When a diffuse cervical bulge is present, a variety of symptoms can occur. Some people may experience little to no discomfort, while others may have severe radicular pain, which travels to the shoulder blade, down the arm and into the hand or fingers. Some people may experience numbness and tingling of the arms and hands.
What is a "moderate disc desiccation with intervertebral disc space narrowing,” another term found in an MRI report?
Desiccation refers to the state of extreme dryness. In biology, desiccation refers to the drying out of a living organism or tissue. This condition means there is a loss of water from the intervertebral disc. In a dehydrated environment, the disc will have a hard time trying to heal.
Intervertebral disc space narrowing refers to the disc in between the spinal bones, which is beginning to lose material and substance. It is degenerating or "collapsing".
What does "Mild posterior osteophytes centrally impress on the ventral thecal sac” mean to you?
Posterior refers to the back. It is an anatomical descriptive term. Impress means to indent or affect. Ventral refers to the front, the opposite of posterior. Thecal sac is the outer covering of the spinal cord. This means there are bone spurs on the back of the spinal bones, putting pressure on or affecting the front part of the outer layer of the (neck) cervical spinal cord.
What is the meaning of "There is mild effacement of the cervical cord. There is mild to moderate narrowing of the right neural foramina and lateral recess”. |
