#39 - MRI report

Philip has asked that for the record these rather technical sections of his last MRI scan report of 2 May, which explain how far the spinal cord is affected, be placed on the blog.

"There is more than 50% compression wedging of T8 vertebral body and 25% compression wedging of T9 vertebral body. There is bulge of the posterior verterbral body. This is leading to moderate-marked spinal canal stenosis. ... compression myelopathy at T8, T9 and T10 levels...  neoplastic infiltration at T7-T11 levels.... 65% compression wedging of L5.... 35% compression wedging of L2... ill-defined soft tissue extending into the right L5-S1, S1-S2, S2-S3 neural foramina due to the right iliac destructive lesion...."

The radiologist comments in summary -

1. Extensive metastatic lesions are seen throughout the spine.
2. Compression wedging of T8, T9 verterbrae with spinal canal stenpsos and compression myelopathy.
3. Compression wedging of L2 and L5 with no cord compression at these levels.
4. Extensive soft tissue is seen associated with destructive lesion in the posterior iliac crest. It is extending to the adjacent right L5-S1, S1-S2, S2-S3 neural foramina.
5. Enhancing nodules are seen along the cauda equina at T12, L1 level, suggesting arachnoic seeding of the neoplastic process."

He further comments that "the degree of compression wedging and posterior displacement at T8 has worsened since the previous MRI on 2 February. The changes at T9 are new. The spinal cord compression and cord myelopathy are new."