Male, 31 years old, with history of scoliosis and right-sided low back pain. Five lumbar type vertebrae are assumed with rudimentary ribs at L1. Trace retrolistheses of L3 relative to L4, and L4 relative to L5 are seen. Vertebral body heights are preserved. A focal convavity of the right superior endplate of L5 is seen with surrounding edema. Elsewhere no edema or pathologic marrow signal abnormality is seen. Deformity and overgrowth of the left L5-S1 facet complex is seen with an atypical AP orientation of the joint line. The posterior arch of S1 also appears to be unfused. The visualized distal spinal cord, conus and cauda equina nerve roots are unremarkable. No epidural abnormalities are seen. L1-2: Minimal disk bulge. No significant spinal canal or neuroforaminal stenosis. L2-3: Mild disk bulge with a right paracentral protrusion. No significant spinal canal stenosis. Mild foraminal narrowing. L3-4: Facet arthropathy. Disk bulge with a right paracentral protrusion. Moderate spinal canal narrowing with particular effacement of the right lateral recess. Moderate right foraminal narrowing. L4-5: Facet arthropathy and ligamentum flavum thickening. Disk bulge. Mild spinal canal narrowing. Moderate foraminal narrowing. L5-S1: Facet arthropathy and ligamentum flavum thickening. No significant spinal canal stenosis. Moderate left foraminal narrowing.
1.A Schmorl's node deformity is seen, potentially of recent onset with mild edema, at the right aspect of the L5 superior endplate. 2.Deformity and anomalous anatomy of the left L5-S1 facet complex could be congenital or post-traumatic in etiology. In either event, bony overgrowth of the joint may indicate accelerated osteoarthritis. Likely congenital non-fusion of the posterior arch of S1 is seen.3.Multilevel disk degeneration is seen with bulging and superimposed protrusions as above. A moderate spinal canal stenosis results at L3-4 with particular effacement of the right lateral recess.