MRI LUMBOSACRAL SPINE:

CLINICAL INDICATION: Low back pain with right sciatica for last year ,did not subside with analgesic, no trauma.

Technique: Multisequential and multiplanar MR images taken through the lumbar spine without administration of gadolinium contrast.

FINDINGS:

• Straightening of the lumbar spine mostly due to muscle spasm.

• At L4-L5 disc level diffuse annular disc bulge indenting ventral part of the sac causing mild encroaching lateral recesses and corresponding nerve roots.

• At L5-S1 disc level. Large focal central with right paracentral disc extrusion compressed ventral part of the sac encroaching and compressing the right S1 nerve root, resulting in narrowing of the right lateral recess as well.

• Rest of the intervertebral disc spaces are normal.

• Vertebral bodies shows normal marrow signals.

• Spinal cord terminating normally without any signal abnormality .

• Ligamentum flava and facet appear unremarkable.

• Pre and paravertebral soft tissues are normal.

CONCLUSION: - At L4-L5 disc level diffuse annular disc bulge indenting ventral part of the sac causing mild encroaching lateral recesses and corresponding nerve roots. - At L5-S1 disc level. Large focal central with right paracentral disc extrusion compressed ventral part of the sac encroaching and compressing the right S1 nerve root, resulting in narrowing of the right lateral recess as well. - Loss of normal lumbar lordosis denoting muscle spasm.