What does progressive thoracic endplate discogenic and facet degenetation with small disc herniations mean?
Patient: Hi there I had a Mri done the other day because of burning back pain and right side rib pain. My report reads as follows sounds like a lot of things are going on. Made an Appt to see my Doc on the 24th of this month. here is my report a mild upper thoracic levoconvex curvature. There is a mild kyphosis at the T11-12 level. The cord demonstrates normal size and signal characteristics. Mild acute, Modic type I endplate degeneration is seen about the anterosuperior endplate of T12. No suspicious marrow infiltration is seen. There is mild lower thoracic endplate degeneration including small Schmorl's nodes. Multilevel disc desiccation is seen within the thoracic spine with mild loss of height.At T2-3, left greater than right facet arthropathy is seen without spinal canal narrowing. Mild left- sided foraminal stenosis is seen without nerve root impingement.At T6-7, a tiny right central disc protrusion is seen which flattens the right paramedian thecal sac without cord compression or foraminal stenosis.At T7-8, a tiny right central disc protrusion is seen which indents the thecal sac without cord compression. Facet arthropathy is seen without foraminal stenosis.At T9-10, a central disc protrusion is seen with an annular disc fissure. This indents the thecal sac and gently contacts the ventral thoracic cord without compression. Facet arthropathy is seen without foraminal stenosis.T11-12, a tiny disc bulge is seen with flattening of the thecal sac but no lower thoracic cord compression or foraminal stenosis.Review of the remaining levels reveals less prominent discogenic and facet degeneration without significant spinal stenosis, cord compression or nerve root impingement. In comparison to the 2009 study, degeneration has progressed.Evaluation of the paraspinal soft tissues is unremarkable.IMPRESSION:Progressive thoracic endplate, discogenic and facet degeneration including small disc herniations, notable at T9-10 where a central disc herniation and annular disc fissure contacts the ventral cord without compression or nerve root impingement. Doctor: Hi,Thank you for posting your query.I agree that the MRI spine report is long and reports a lot of abnormalities. However, they are minor in nature and there is no need to worry about them.These abnormalities are due to degeneration of vertebral bodies and discs (located in between the bones over back). As a result, there is mild compression or pinching of nerves in the back. This is giving rise to the pain.Treatment would require medications such as pregabalin capsules for pain relief. In addition, physiotherapy with back extension exercises would also help.I hope my answer helps. Please get back if you have any follow up queries or if you require any additional information.Wishing you good health,Dr Sudhir Kumar MD (Internal Medicine), DM (Neurology)Senior Consultant NeurologistApollo Hospitals, Hyderabad, IndiaClick on this link to ask me a DIRECT QUERY: http://bit.ly/Dr-Sudhir-kumarMy BLOG: http://bestneurodoctor.blogspot.in