here is my current MRI result:
FINDINGS:
Conus
medullaris ends normally at L1 upper border. Cauda equina is not thickened.
There are minimal fatty/degenerative signals along the superior endplates of L2 down to L5
Vertebral height, rest of the marrow signal and cortical endplates are intact. Spurs are seen along the anterior
margins of L2 down to L5.
The lumbar spine curvature is straightened, likely due to spasm. There is mild rightward deviation of the lumbar
spine.
Desiccated disc is again seen at L4-L5. There is beginning disc desiccation at L1-L2, L2-L3, L3-L4 and L5-S1.
L4-L5 shows diffuse disc bulge with a superimposed small right paracentral disc extrusion that indents the ventral
thecal sac and narrows the right lateral recess with impingement of the right descending S1 nerve root. The left
lateral recess is mildly narrowed with contact of the left descending S1 nerve root. Bilateral facet hypertrophy is
noted contributing to mild neural foraminal narrowing on both sides. These findings appear stable.
The rest of the intervertebral discs are within normal confines. The central and neural canals are adequate.
The small enhancing nodular signal along the upper caudal nerve roots, level of L1 slightly to the right of midline,
is again seen measuring 0.3 x 0.4 cm (previously 0.3 x 0.2 cm).
No paravertebral mass is noted.
There is mild signal hyperintensity in the right erector spinae muscles.
I am days away from scheduled laminectomy and calf/leg pain has now reduced compared to previous weeks. My concern is if I do this surgery, I might regret it.