Clinical question: Evaluate for disc disease, osteoarthritis, spinal stenosis. Signs and symptoms: Low back pain, left-sided sciatica and paresthesia. Nonenhanced lumbar MRI:There is normal anatomical alignment of vertebral column. T12-L1 is unremarkable.L1-L2 and L2-L3 demonstrate mild hypertrophic changes of the ligamentum flavum and minimal facet disease and unremarkable otherwise.L3-L4 demonstrate moderate bilateral ligamentum flavum hypertrophy, mild facet and disc disease however without spinal stenosis or neural foraminal compromise.L4-L5 demonstrate moderate bilateral ligamentum flavum hypertrophy and mild facet disease which includes mild left facet effusion. No spinal stenosis or neural foraminal compromise.L5-S1 demonstrate mild degenerative disc disease and loss of disc height, a left lateral and far lateral broad-based disc protrusion resulting in significant left neural foraminal compromise and no central spinal stenosis. Right neural foramen remains patent.Limited view appears spinal soft tissues are unremarkable.
1.L5-S1 demonstrate a left lateral and far lateral broad-based disc protrusion resulting in significant left neural foraminal compromise.2.Mild degenerative changes at other levels as detailed.3.No spinal stenosis or neural foraminal compromise at other levels.