Clinical question: Evaluate for etiology of right radicular symptoms. Signs and symptoms: Right radicular pain episodes. Nonenhanced lumbar MRI:There is normal anatomical alignment of vertebral column.There is mild signal changes of vertebral column secondary to minimal degenerative disease and unremarkable otherwise.T10-T11 through L3-L4 levels are unremarkable.L4-L5 demonstrate mild disc disease and loss of disc height and mild degenerative changes of posterior elements however without spinal stenosis or neural foraminal compromise.L5-S1 demonstrate mild to moderate disc disease and loss of disc height and decreased T2 signal intensity and mild bilateral facet and ligamentum flavum degenerative changes. There is a tiny shallow right median disc protrusion at this level which is best appreciated on axial T2 series 701 image 10 and sagittal T2 STIR series 601 images 7 and 8. The finding results in very subtle indentation of the thecal sac however without spinal canal, neural foraminal or lateral recess compromise.Limited view of the SI joints are unremarkable.Perispinal soft tissues are unremarkable.
1.Mild degenerative changes at L5-S1 and a tiny shallow right paramedian disc protrusion without spinal canal, neural foraminal or lateral recess compromise.2.Minimal degenerative disc disease at L4-L5 and unremarkable nonenhanced lumbar MRI otherwise.