Rule out spinal cord compression. History of subacute waxing and waning bilateral lower extremity weakness). There is mild superior endplate deformity at T12 vertebra with adjacent Schmorl's node, which is most likely related to mild chronic compression fracture. There is mild deformity also noted along the superior endplate of T4 vertebral body also likely related to mild chronic compression deformity. Remaining vertebral body and intervertebral disc heights are preserved. The spinal cord has normal signal characteristics and overall morphology. There is no compromise of the spinal cord.There are scattered degenerative changes throughout the spine including disc osteophyte complex at C5-C6 and C6-C7 with ligamentum flavum thickening. Small scattered disc bulges involving the lower thoracic spine is noted. The lumbar spinal canal appears developmentally narrowed. There is prominent epidural fat and disc bulges at L4-L5 and L5-S1 levels, with suspected mild to moderate spinal canal stenosis at these levels. There are focal scattered T1 hyperintense areas at multiple vertebral body levels which may represent focal fat or benign hemangiomas.
This is a limited exam specific for the exclusion of cord compression only and does not exclude more subtle lesions such as intrinsic cord abnormalities. No cord compression is identified. Scattered degenerative changes throughout the cervical and thoracic spine but without high-grade spinal canal or neural foraminal narrowingDevelopmentally narrowed lower lumbar spinal canal with prominent epidural fat and disc bulge at L4-L5 and L5-S1, which results in mild to moderate narrowing of the spinal canal at these levels. Further evaluation with dedicated lumbar spine imaging can be obtained as clinically indicated.Due to the screening nature of this protocol details are not as evident on imaging as dedicated protocols of the spine.