Don't Read Too Much Into Your MRI Report

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a medical imaging technique used in radiology to form pictures of the anatomy and the physiological processes inside the body.
Patients should avoid reading their own MRI reports because the technical language and medical terminology can be confusing and alarming. Without the necessary medical training, its easy to misinterpret findings, leading to unnecessary stress or anxiety.
Additionally, some abnormalities noted in an MRI report may be unrelated to their symptoms.
It's best for patients to discuss their MRI results with their doctor who can offer a clear, informed interpretation and create a treatment plan that suits their needs best.

#thespineguy #MRIreading #incidentalfindings #drbrianwsu #brianwsuMD

Dr. Brian W. Su, MD
Spine Surgeon
Co-Medical Director of Spine Surgery | Marin Health Medical Center
Director | Marin Hea lthcare District Bo ard
Chai rman | Marin Specialty Surgery Center

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415-925-8200 (Call for Video Appointments with Dr. Su)

FTC: This video is not sponsored.
Disclaimer: This video is not intended to provide diagnosis, treatment or medical advice. Information obtained from this video should not be taken in lieu of your own medical provider's advice and treatment plan. Please consult directly with a physician or other healthcare professional regarding any diagnosis or treatment plan options. Content provided on this YouTube channel is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as a substitute for advice from a healthcare professional. The statements made about specific products throughout this video are not to diagnose , treat, cure or prevent disease.

[JohnnyLoots]

This video will definitely alleviate a lot of stress if you're having an MRI and aren't sure what to expect when you get the reported results. Great video Dr. Su!

[desgoulding]

You are an excellent specialist explaining everything. Should be more Drs like you 😮😊

[DisabilityExams]

The normal MRI report is the rarest of rare phenomena in medicine.

[Sklipchan]

Thank you for your explanation. It alleviates a lot of stress. I really like your philosophy of treating the patient, not the MRI. Great video, Dr. Su.

[azinkadkhodayan]

Dr. Su your videos and information make real difference. I’m sure your day to day work makes a lot more difference in people’s lives! Thank you for all you do!

[AtoDaZn]

Thanks for making these videos Doctor! I have an orthopedic spin surgeon appointment coming up and your videos are helping me understand what I may expect. Keep it up!

[lyudmilalogvin]

Thank you so much for this Video. I love direct, clear, accurate, informative information without wasting time on irrelevant or immaterial issues.

[kalachai]

Thanks Dr Su. Just as you said in the video, I was freaking out after looking at my latest MRI report where it was a page and a half long and comparing it to the last MRI report from over 4 years ago, it was only half a page long. I was literally going through line by line in the body of the report instead of looking at the impression section! Now I understand why my spine surgeon doctor didn’t touch or talked about the report in details and focus on just the one area where I thought was the least of my concern! Lol!!

[YTPAJ]

Another fantastic video to wake up to this morning in Bangkok. I had an MRI scan (open MRI) and this video has now demonstrated not to be stressed over the report findings. I am 47, C4/C5 stenosis causing some pain but not as bad as two weeks ago. Seems to have settled down a bit. What I did notice is a possible infection on the bone that my doctor did not notice after I looked at my MRI images, but I am not a doctor to rule this out. I think some of the doctors here are okay but some just want to do an operation to get the money. :(

[kabookie-]

Wow! My follow-up is tomorrow and I have done exactly that for a month with my written report. I'm glad I happened to find this video today.

[SPotThought]

Excellent explanation.. doc 👏👏👏💯 You are really helping a lot of people with your exceptional videos👌. More like this.. please 👍

[stacywrogersdesigns]

Thank you so much for sharing these videos about degenerative disc disease. Respectfully, it does not seem like there is a universal format for interpreting MRI images. I’ve had many MRI’s over the past 20 years at several different facilities with several different doctors. All of the MRI’s have been done using the closed machines but every report comes back different. The first MRI report said I had lumbar scoliosis. The next didn’t indicate this but instead said I had cervical lesions. I was treated for MS for 7 years only to learn that it was a misdiagnosis. The next one said I had a cervical syrinx. Another said I had moderate to severe degenerative disc disease, mild to moderate facet hypertrophy. The most recent report said there are no spinal cord abnormalities, no indication of scoliosis, but there are indications of mild degenerative disc disease & mild facet arthrosis. Everything I’ve read or have been told says that degenerative disc disease & facet hypertrophy is progressive & incurable. How does one go from moderate/severe to mild? Why have the interpretations been so varied?

[Just_MHO_thomasina]

Soooo helpful. Everyone needs to see this... had no idea 😮
Thank you again Dr. Su!!!

[KenBagby]

Excellent perspective! I needed this! Thanks!🙏

[Anthony-nsst]

Can you do a few videos concerning the thoracic region.

For example. My most recent MRI. Explanation in plain English would be helpful.

There is a very large central disc protrusion/herniation at the T7/8 level. Herniated disc
material extends approximately 5 mm posterior to the cortical margin, as well as above and
below the disc level, as described above. The spinal canal itself is stenotic at 7 mm. The spinal
cord is contacted and compressed. The dorsal CSF space is thinned. The spinal cord itself
displays normal signal.
2. There is spinal canal stenosis at the T2/3 level. There is severe compromise of the left lateral
recess and the left neural foramen. This is due to a 7 mm far left-lateral disc
protrusion/herniation, which will likely result in left-sided radicular-type symptoms as a
result. The spinal canal itself is stenotic at 9 mm. There is also moderate compromise of the
right neural foramen due to disc material, which could possibly result in some right-sided
radicular-type symptoms.
3. There is spinal canal stenosis at the T4/5 level, as well as at the T6/7 level. The spinal canal is 9
mm, as described above. This is due to central disc protrusions/herniations, as described
above. There is partial compromise of the left and right lateral recesses.
4. There is borderline spinal canal stenosis at the T8/9 level. The spinal canal is 1 cm. This is due
to herniated disc material with some mild ligamentous thickening. There is moderate
compromise of the left lateral recess and the left neural foramen.
5. The anterior CSF space is partially effaced centrally and to the right of midline at the T5/6
level from 2 mm of herniated disc material.

Just reads terrible lol

[jeffjohanson]

Labor Day weekend 2023 my L2L3 disk herniated in bed overnight. Woke up in excruciating pain. 3 weeks later I’m in the hospital from pain for 2 days/nights and I was losing motor function of my lower right leg. Until then I was a very active and fit 66YO hiking, trail running and racing, mountain biking, downhill and XC skiing.
When I saw the MRI report yes I indeed freaked out. All sorts of things wrong including Grade 1 spondylolisthesis and some slight scoliosis. WTH 😳 obviously, there was the disc herniation along with foraminal stenosis, degenerative disc disease, and arthritis the full gamut of things to freak out about until after TONS of reading and watching videos like this I realized most of those things are normal for a 66YO person. Ultimately in 8 to 10 weeks all my pain subsided, the numbness the shooting pains all of it, but I was left with a leg that has atrophied, buckles and continues to do so, although it has improved substantially. Multiple rounds of physical therapy have helped but I still can’t run or mountain bike or downhill ski and hiking requires extreme care with the use of poles now versus things I just used to fly over without the need for any poles. My significant other calls me the mountain goat…..not anymore.
I’ve seen 4 surgeons with suggestions from waiting 18-24 months, Microdiscectomy, to a multi stage fusion to correct The scoliosis and spondylolisthesis…. despite the fact, I’m asymptomatic to any kind of pain and continue to work 10 hours a day mostly on my feet.
Somewhere in my back, there is a nerve or nerves that are clearly under compression that are causing a motor function problem, but they don’t seem to be able to figure it out exactly and I’ve had an EMG done as well.
I’m contacting an endoscopic specialist in NY (I’m in MA) to send my MRI to and get his opinion. It’s all he does, endoscopic, the most minimally invasive type of back surgery you can get. Perhaps he’ll see something others have not but there is no way in hell I’m getting a fusion done with the way I can move around without pain. I just can’t do the things I love to do because of the leg buckling problem.
Oh yeah, don’t freak out over your MRI especially if your over 60YO.

[EmmieElle]

I would love a video explaining an intradural synovial cyst at C2.

[sm_au]

Thanks Dr Su, that was an amazing presentation. It's interesting the follow up seven year study didn't correlate back pain with the previous (age related) findings. Very reassuring to see/hear. My family physician couldn't understand why I had so much pain with so little disc herniation (my specialist disagreed with the family physician's opinion of the impact of my spine on my pain) so this is very validating, thank you.

[Fishflorida]

Great video, is it possible that you could do a video on OPLL with myelopathy and surgical options in the future? Thank you

[jeannekinkade]

Can you tell us about Spect CT and how it compares with an MRI? Also, how it can highlight areas of the spine that might be the cause of long term chronic pain? Thank you for your videos. Really good.