66 yo F h/o sciatica found down x several hours after a fall; significant R hip pain on admission but negative CT hip; now with flaccid RLE but intact sensation; concern for spinal cord injury. Was neurologically intact at time of admission. The vertebral bodies are appropriate in the overall alignment and height. Mild multilevel degenerative changes are seen in the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine. There is no evidence of cord compression or high-grade spinal canal stenosis. No obvious cord signal abnormality within the limitations of the study. There is edema involving the anterior aspect of the L1 and L2 vertebral bodies which is favored to be on a degenerative basis. There is a Schmorl's node involving the superior endplate of T7. There is at least moderate left L5-S1 neural foraminal stenosis. There also appears to be mild to moderate right L1-L2 neural foraminal stenosis.
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 or evidence of high-grade spinal canal stenosis in the cervical, thoracic, or lumbar spine is identified.Due to the screening nature of this protocol details are not as evident on imaging as dedicated protocols of the spine.