Degenerative Change Is Present In The Thoracic Spine?
Feb 28, 2014
The doctor said the lung tissue is possible (mild) pneumonia. I'm less concerned about that, and I'm being treated with antibiotics. However, I have no idea what "degenerative change is present in the thoracic spine" means. He said nothing about that, but he's an allergy/asthma specialist, so it's not really his field...
Here's what the whole thing says:
"Minimal linear infiltrate is present in the left base. The lungs are otherwise clear. The cardiomediastinal silhouette is normal size and configuration. No pneumothorax or pleural effusion is identified. The pulmonary vascularity is normal. Minimal degenerative change is present in the thoracic spine."
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Clinical Notes: Radiculopathy.
Findings: Reversal of the cervical lordosis associated with a 2mm grade 1 degenerative anterolisthesis at C3/4. Multilevel disc desiccation, loss of disc height and degenerative anterior marginal end plate osteophytic spurring. Multilevel facet joint degenerative arthropathy. No suspicious bone marrow signal abnormality. No paravertebral soft tissue abnormality. The cervicomedullary junction is normally sited with the spinal cord of normal signal and volume down to the most visualised level at D4/5.
C2/3: Moderate left facet joint degenerative arthropathy with mild left foraminal narrowing.
C3/4: Anterolisthesis, a small superiorly pointing central disc extrusion, moderate bilateral uncovertebral and marked left plus mild right facet joint degenerative arthropathy, the latter associated with effusions bilaterally. Moderate canal stenosis with mild cord flattening. Severe left and moderate to severe right foraminal narrowing with impingement at both exciting C4 nerve roots.
C4/5: Broadbased disc bar, moderate right and mild left uncovertebral plus moderate canal stenosis with mild cord flattening on the right. Severe right and mild left foraminal narrowing with impingement of the exiting right C5 nerve root.
C5/6: Small broad based disc bar and moderate left uncovertebral joint degenerative arthropathy. Mild to moderate canal stenosis with mild cord flattening on the left. Severe left foraminal narrowing with impingement of the exiting left C6 nerve root.
C6/7: Small broad based disc bar and moderate bilateral uncovertebral joint degenerative arthropathy. Mild central canal stenosis. Severe bilateral foraminal narrowing with impingement at both exciting C7 nerve roots.
C7/T1 to T2/3: Posterior disc contour is normal.
T3/4 and T4/5: Moderate right facet joint degenerative arthropathy with moderate right foraminal narrowing and impingement of the exiting right T3 and T4 nerve roots.
Conclusion: Multilevel degenerative spondylotic change as described. Spinal canal stenosis associated with mild cord flattening between C4/5 and C6/7. Compressive foraminal narrowing seen bilaterally at C3/4, right at C4/5, left at C5/6, bilaterally at C6/7 and on the right at T3/4 and T4/5.
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CT c-spine Findings: There is postoperative change related to previous c5 c6 interiors fusion spacer with anterior retention hardware placement. There is no evidence of hardware fracture or loosening, alignment of the cervical spine is maintained. There is no findings of acute fracture or subluxation. Craniocervical junction is intact. C1-C2, C2-C3,C3-C4 no disc bulge or disc protrusion. No central canal stenosis or neural forAmina narrowing, within limitations of ct. C4-C5 small posterior disc osteophyte complex partially effaces the thecal sac without significant central canal or neural foraminal. C5-C6,C6-C7,C7-T1 no disc bulge or protrusion.
Impression, postoperative change at c5,c6 fusion. No evidence of hardware failure or acute fracture or subluxation of the cervical spine.
MRI findings: There is susceptibility artifact at C5-C6 related to intermediate fusion and cervical retention hardware placement.
C2-C3, C3-C4 , No disc bulge or disc protrusion. No canal stenosis or neural foraminal narrowing.
C4-C5 there is a 3 mm central disc protrusion with superimposed posterior endpapers osteophyte which partially enfaces the thecal sac. AP diameter the central canal measures 1.0cm. There is no significant central canal or neural foraminal narrowing.
C5-C6,C6-C7,C7-T1 no disc bulge or disc protrusion. No central stenosis or neural foraminal.
Impression: mild discogenic degenerative change at c4-c5. No significant central canal or neural foraminal seen at any level. Postoperative change c5-c6 anterior fusion.
I thought I was doing better from the first surgery. Pain, tingling, and numbness subsided, as well as migraines. Few months thst ago I get excruciating pain in my neck and shoulder with headaches again. I've seen my neurologist, but he says to go back to ortho. I go next thursday. I was hoping to get English what this means. My first mri and ct before surgery was quite obvious, and my pcp gave me the basics. The pain meds now im on aren't helping, in fact not even touching tje pain. Oxycodone 10/325 every 4-6 hours for breakthrough pain.
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This is my c-spine MRI. It may or may not be the cause of my symptoms according to my PCP, see the spine doc on Tuesday. Anyone have any opinions on what this means.
DATE: 07/16/13
MRI-CERVICAL SPINE
CLINICAL INFORMATION: 47-year-old female complains of neck pain radiating to the arms with clonus in the lower extremities.
TECHNIQUE: Sagittal T1, T2 and intermediate weighted imaging. Axial T1 and gradient echo sequence.
FINDINGS: There is no prior exam for comparative purposes at the present time. There is straightening of the normal cervical lordotic curve. degenerative changes to a varying degree are present throughout the cervical region.
The C2-C3 level is unremarkable.
At the C3-C4 level, there are mild spondylotic changes present where mixed hard and soft disc material mildly deforms the ventral subarachnoid space without cord deformity. There may be minimal osseous foraminal compromise on the right.
At the C4-C5 level, there are mild spondylotic changes, slightly eccentric towards the right, without cord encroachment. There may be minimal osseous foraminal compromise on the right.
At the C5-C6 level, there are mild to moderate spondylotic changes present where mixed hard and soft disc material approaches but does not deform the ventral surface of the cervical spinal cord. There is at least a mild degree of osseous foraminal encroachment, left greater than right.
There are also mild to moderate spondylotic changes at C6-C7 level without cord encroachment. There is at least a mild degree of osseous foraminal encroachment on the left neural foramen. The spinal cord demonstrates normal caliber and normal signal intensity pattern throughout its length. The region of the craniocervical junction is normal.
Unsigned transcriptions represent a preliminary report And do not reflect a medical or legal document
IMPRESSION: Degenerative changes involving the cervical region, as detailed above. There is at least a mild degree of foraminal encroachment multiple levels.
Followup as clinically warranted
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I've been having pain and neck stiffness for years, and also have rheumatoid arthritis. Several months ago I started having "pins and needles" feeling in my left arm that became more and more intense from my shoulder down into my hand, mostly my thumb. I had an MRI, this is the result:
C2-3: There is a small posterior right lateral disc osteophyte complex as well as advanced facet arthropathy, particularly involving the right facet joint. This causes marked narrowing of the right neural foramen.
C3-4: There is moderate facet arthropathy, causing moderate narrowing of the left neural foramen. No evidence of canal stenosis. Right neural foramen appears patent.
C4-5: There is mild disc space narrowing and a right paracentral posterior disc/osteophyte complex causing minimal ventral impression on the thecal sac and mild narrowing of the right neural foramen. There is also moderate right facet arthropathy.
C5-6: There is advanced disc space narrowing, with prominent spurring both anteriorly and posteriorly. There is endplate sclerosis on both sides of the disc space. A prominent central posterior disc/osteophyte complex causes moderate to severe canal stenosis at this level with mild flattening of the cord. There is also moderate bilateral facet arthropathy. Neural foramina are significantly compromised at this level.
C6-7: There is a small posterior disc/osteophyte complex with minimal ventral impression on the thecal sac, but no significant canal stenosis or neural foraminal narrowing.
C7-T1: Normal.
OTHER: There is degeneration and narrowing at the C1-2 articulation with some irregularity of the dens.
CONCLUSION: Advanced degenerative disc disease involving the cervical spine, which is most severe at C5-6 with canal stenosis and bilateral neural foraminal narrowing at this level.
My doctor never called me, just sent me an email that said "no bulging disks, just arthritis", and he suggested I go see a pain management doctor. What should I do? I am having a really bad day today, my arm has been asleep more than it has been awake, and it's becoming more painful.
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Anyone else have babies back lined up to yours?
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Can Gonorrhea present itself before 24 hours?
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I have had swallowing problems, oesophagus pain, burning in chest feeling as though food is getting stuck and an awful sensation of a lump in my throat for the last four years. I was wrongly diagnosed with GERD and treated with PPIs. My symptoms have gradually got worse and after three attempts managed the manometry and twenty four hour pH test following this I have been recently diagnosed with achalasia. I feel so unwell and life is feeling unbearable I can only tolerate liquids at present and my symptoms seem to have deteriorated since diagnosis feels like everything sticking in my throat an awful taste the lump has got worse and feels like I can't feel my throat properly and my swallow feels weak. All my symptoms are bringing on the most awful feeling of anxiety and I just don't know where to turn no one understands how bad this feels. Has anyone else had this terrible sensation of a lump and at the same time a sort of lack of sensation in the throat.
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I have finally found info on Forestier's disease!
When I was first diagnosed back in 1988 my doctor had no material on this subject. I was told to go home and find it on my computer, which I did. There was a researcher in Canada who hit the nail right on the head, Forestier's is no picnic! He was so right!
When I was first diagnosed with the disease, I was in a lot of back pain. I had x-rays done and this article is correct....my vertebral area looked as if I were leaking wax. I saw all sorts of bony hooks hanging from each and every vertebrate and I was in a lot of pain; but my doctor at that time said I couldn't be in pain, as it wasn't painful??? On the contrary, the article I was told to research stated that there is a great deal of pain associated with the disease and eventually it would be crippling and that is where I am, 20 years later.
At the first time I was diagnosed, I didn't know that my choking could be associated with the disease itself, I thought it was just asthma...after all "it isn't that bad." I was placed on many anti-inflammatory medications. I was place on one that I suddenly would loose my speech and get confused...I was told they might be TIA's. Later this particular drug was found to do just that. Since it wasn't helping, I was put on another anti-inflammatory and the doctor doubled the recommended dose and later I found that the sphincter muscle to my stomach and been burned away from too much of a good thing.
I was told not to see a chiropractor and for good reason! I had a complication from a surgery and they had to knock me out in order to go down my throat....while under someone turned my head further than I could myself and broke a facet in my neck; now I have plates in my neck and need more surgery....Once my neck was repaired, I didn't choke any longer. Right now, the disease has gotten so bad that I have many areas of stenosis and nerve root cut off. The neurosurgeon who performed my first neck surgery stated that every opening that allows the nerve roots to channel through my body was loaded with razor sharp spurs. This is just the spinal region of my body.
I am beginning to calcify at every ligament insertion site. I have bony over growth in my feet, which interfere with the articulation of my foot joints. I can feel the bones sticking out of my ankles and the tops of my feet; I'm beginning to fuse in my left foot. In three weeks I'm heading for a double knee replacement because my left knee can't support my knee cap; over growth of bone has pushed it away. It is getting more and more difficult to participate in daily activities as my range of motion is becoming limited. My elbows and my shoulders are affected as well...I can feel bony growth there as well. I'm losing feeling in my legs, as my nerves are being pinched; the pain shoots down to my feet and it is gripping. My hands can't grip a phone for any length of time.
I found if my pain can be controlled, I can function well, but too many doctors are not up on the pain this disease produces. Controlling the pain keeps me moving, and that is what you need to do, but the support isn't there for this. The disease is so rare that it is brushed off as regular osteoarthritis and it isn't, it's no where near the same.
I was diagnosed in my thirties and I have lived with chronic pain for over twenty years now. I was told that it affects mostly males over the age of 70....bunk! It is genetic, as my mother had it and wasn't properly diagnosed with the disease and my brother has it as well. My mother and I were deeply affected, she had it her feet as well and by the time she reached 70, she couldn't walk without crying in despair.
I had one doctor treat me with Suboxone and it was the only drug that gave me back the quality of life others enjoyed. He left for the north and I am back in severe pain once again. The problem with this disease, it's a square peg and everyone wants to fit into a round hole. I try to keep a smile on my face for my families sake, but the pain can be read all over my face. I'm still young, by today's standards and I just want to be a participant in this life, not stuck in some corner watching my life and the world go passed me.
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Hi, have been diagnosed with degenerative arthritis 2 years ago and had another CT scan yesterday after experiencing pain for the past 3 days in right lower back and hip
my ct results says:
L1/2: No significant disc protrusion. The central canal and exit foramina appear adequate
L2/3: Minor disc bulge. The central canal and exit foramina appear adequate. Early facet joint degenerative change
L3/4: Mild disc bulge and ligamentum flavum hypertrophy. Minor encroachment on the central canal. The exit foramina appear adequate
L4/5: Disc bulge. Ligamentum flavum hypertrophy. Mild central canal stenosis. Minor encroachment of both exit foramina
L5/S1: Marked disc space narrowing, endplate osteophytes, endplate sclerosis and vacuum phenomenon, consistent with degenerative disc disease. Disc bulge. Mild central canal stenosis. Abutment of the origins of both transiting S1 nerve roots. No overt evidence of nerve root displacement or flattening. Moderate left and mild right exit foraminal stenosis. Abutment of both existing L5 nerve roots. Mild Bilateral facet arthropathy.
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Degenerative discs and spondylolisthesis,had injections worked well for 5 days now all back ...
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I had a 2D echo last week and found 4.6 thoracic aortic aneurysm.
Cardiologist has prescribed blood pressure medicine. Shall I go ahead for surgery or wait till become 5 cm. I am 37 yrs old. I play volleyball every day. Is it ok to continue or stop?
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My younger sister aged 50 was diagnosed with TAA of 5.1 cm in January and operated in February due to her small frame. She is recovering well which is encouraging. I have been meaning to go and have a check myself but kept putting it off. I went to my GP 2 weeks ago and he immediately picked up a murmur. Echo followed by a CT scan confirmed I also have an aneurysm but mine is still at 4.27 and I am 55 years old. Clearly we have a genetic disposition but mine is growing more slowly (so far) . I am in shock and still cannot get my head round it. I am fit, practise yoga, follow mainly a vegetarian diet, don't smoke, hardly drink and do not have high blood pressure. I am now now in 'watchful waiting' and will have another CT scan in 6 months time. I have been advised to take Beta Blockers and was wondering how patients react to them. I have a professional job in sales and need to keep my energy up. I have off course been considering giving up work but sitting at home waiting for my aneurysm to grow will not help me. I would also like to know if aneurysms always grow and if I need to accept that mine will be bigger by the time I have my next CT?
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Im looking for some advice,I have been diagnosed with cervical rib on both sides and also thoracic outlet syndrome. I have had loads of tests and been told I have got to have the ribs removed but before they can do anything I have got to have one more test that is a VENOGRAM of the upper limbs, they have told me I will need anorectic and I will be in for the day but I'm still none the wiser of what they are doing other than having the dye. I was hoping someone on here has had it done and could tell me more about this procedure.
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Approximately 8 years ago, doctors discovered a 4.6cm aneurysm in my aorta during routine testing in preparation for an upcoming surgery. Fast forward 8yrs later my aneurysm has increased in size to 5.8cm so everyone in these forums know what that means...its surgery time! I've had echoes and CT Scans every 6 months as this appears to be the wait and watch approach when aneurysms are under 5cm.. My aneurysm was slow growing until the last 18 months. At least 3 CT scans were missed and the echoes didn't clearly show growth. Now, I am terrified out of my mind about having an "open repair". It has been brought to my attention that because of the location of my aneurysm, I am not a candidate for an "endovascular repair". Imagine my disappointment. My anxiety level is at an all time high and I am symptomatic. Chest heaviness and back pain coupled with migraine headaches. Apart of me realizes that these surgeries are done rather routinely now but that still doesn't stop the horrendous fear I have. I have had severe allergic reactions to meds in the past. I'm not a good sleeper generally and now its worst. I have to schedule my surgery by June, to have at least 6 months of recovery time before my family cruise in Dec.. I am a 56yr old female veteran. I used to run least east 3 miles a day and Jazzercise at least 5 days a week until I was told to stop by my cardiologist. I have since gained about 15 lbs in these last 8yrs but other than that, no high cholesterol, high blood pressure or diabetes. My doctors assure me that I am a perfect candidate and shouldn't experience any complications but the idea of my sternum being cut open and just the entire procedure is frightening. What's more concerning is once you have aneurysm in one place, another could eventually show up somewhere else in the future. I've also been told that these repairs can require maintenance in the future! Its all just a little too much but knowing the alternative..carrying around a ticking time bomb, I have to have the surgery. I know people that survived a couple yrs after the surgery, had to have some type of maintenance and never truly recovered and died. My niece fiancé was life alighted to the hospital in mid March with a dissection, he is currently and the road to recovery. I have a lot of family support but of course they are all concerned as well. The saga continues..
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I (have) had Thoracic outlet syndrome. It took approx 8 years to figure out what I had. Finally found a doctor I could agree with. He found cervical ribs both right and left. Only had symptoms on my right side. Pretty sure symptoms were brought on by a car accident (whiplash). Anyway.. Had the cervical rib removed and the first rib removed along with the scalene muscle that was in a spasm. It has been 5 weeks and I am still taking pain meds, although I am finally starting to feel some relief. Not ready to quit the pain meds though. Although I'm gonna have to since my dr wants me off them. Wish he could feel this pain. My chest is numb but it is painful underneath. It burns like heck and the muscles, or it may be the fascia that runs from my neck to my chest that is so tight it kills me. I try to do my stretches but it hurts. Mornings are awful. Be prepared to not sleep at first. I am thankful to have found this site. You feel like you are the only one out there who has been through this since it is such a rare anomaly. If you are going to have this surgery prepare yourself for not only the pain but the mental challenge of being in pain for so long. You will have some really down days.
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I have issues with my back & neck, am aware I have degeneration but can't get an MRI done to see if anything else is going on. The pain gets tight in my thoracic area, makes my abdomen (in my esophageal area) cramp up really bad, sometimes my chest gets tight, and I think it's my diaphragm muscles getting tight, then I feel like I'm not able to get the air I need from my lungs. Whole left side has went in pain and went numb. The only thing I know to do is find a way to reduce the pain to stop it but I would love a solution that could help me breathe better in the process. I'm also having trouble breathing when I eat, there's nothing wrong with my lungs or heart. It is my spine doing this. I'm in PT right now but it's not helping.
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I am wondering if any of you have this and what the threshold is before a surgery is required. I do not have any heart valve issues. What are your experiences with abdominal (and thoracic) aortic aneurysms?
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Has anyone had this surgery and had a good recovery? If so how long did it take, do you feel normal, and are you restricted at all?
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I have recently been diagnosed with an thoracic aortic aneurysm and a badly damaged left ventricular valve. The aneurysm is 5.9cm and on the arch at the top of my heart. It was found by accident when I had a ct scan for difficulty swallowing then further tests followed which found that the 'murmur' I was diagnosed with 7 years ago had deteriorated so badly the left ventricular valve would have to be replaced with a mechanical one. At the moment I am waiting for a final visit with the surgeon before being given a date for the op. The thing is I feel perfectly fine, I have no pain, no shortness of breath, have as much energy as always and in fact feel fit as a fiddle. I am 58 and have kept as upbeat as possible about all this, but my family are distraught with worry about the 10 - 15% chance that I won't make it through the surgery (national statistics) and the possibility of stroke or paralysis. My dad had an aortic aneurysm (unknown to him) and it ruptured, he survived the surgery but died 3 months later having never left the hospital. This was only 4 years ago and my mum is now sick with worry, literally, about me. I am worried that I will never get back to how I am now, that I will become reliant on family and friends. Its usually me who helps the family with the children and my mum. I live alone but have family close by and my ex husband (who is my best friend) has been a great support. My family, bless them, are fussing around and not letting me do anything and I know I would be the same if I were in their shoes but I feel like an invalid although I should be grateful for their concern. I am feeling so confused, I refuse to cry about this and I am holding myself so tightly together but seeing my families tears is breaking me up. I am putting my 'healthy self' up for a life threatening, painful operation. Has anyone else been in a similar position and could give a few words of encouragement?
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Hi!
I am a 54 year old female who underwent a thoracic, abdominal aneurysm repair surgery 8 months ago. The aneurysm was 5.5 to 5.6 centimetres and essentially the aorta was repaired from my heart to my kidneys. I would like to discuss my recovery. I am still not up to my usual level of energy in that I still have to rest if I have not taken it easy. During the surgery the left side of my ribs were clamped open and I find myself still favouring that side of my body. eg: protecting my ribs with my hands if I am in a crowded area. But, what has really stumped me is a feeling of panic and anxiety. I had imagined that after the aneurysm was repaired that I would feel relieved. I AM most grateful but sometimes I feel dissociated from my body and I feel depressed a lot of the time...which was not a usual occurrence before the surgery. It feels as if for the 18 years that I knew about the aneurysm I lived in a mild state of anxiety as to whether or not it would rupture or if and when I would have major surgery. Now, that it's repaired I feel like I have to learn to live in a different way....kind of like when I was a child and went skating all afternoon and then took off my skates. It felt strange to walk in boots. I know it's a silly analogy but it feels like I have to learn to walk again. Is there anyone else that has felt this panic or does anyone have symptoms of PTSD following their surgery?
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