Lumbar MRI scan - Results

Alternative Names

Magnetic resonance imaging - lumbar spine; MRI - lower back

Normal Values:

A normal result means your spine and nearby nerves appear normal.

What abnormal results mean:

Abnormal results are most commonly due to:

Herniated or "slipped" disk (lumbar radiculopathy)
Narrowing of the spinal column (spinal stenosis)
Abnormal wearing on the bones and cartilage in the spine (spondylitis)

Other abnormal results may be due to:

Ankylosing spondylitis, a type of arthritis
Bone infection
Cauda equina syndrome
Fractures of the lower back due to osteoporosis
Disk inflammation (diskitis)
Spinal cord abscess
Spinal cord injury
Spinal tumor
Syringomyelia

Consult your health care provider with any questions and concerns.

Reviewed last on: 2/19/2011
Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington, School of Medicine; C. Benjamin Ma, MD, Assistant Professor, Chief, Sports Medicine and Shoulder Service, UCSF Department of Orthopaedic Surgery. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Chou R, Qaseem A, Owens DK, Shekelle P; for the Clinical Guidelines Committee of the American College of Physicians. Diagnostic Imaging for Low Back Pain: Advice for High-Value Health Care From the American College of Physicians. Ann Intern Med. 2011 Feb 1;154(3):181-189.

Wilkinson ID, Paley MNJ. Magnetic resonance imaging: basic principles. In: Grainger RC, Allison D, Adam, Dixon AK, eds. Diagnostic Radiology: A Textbook of Medical Imaging. 5th ed. New York, NY: Churchill Livingstone; 2008:chap 5.

Katz JN, Harris MB. Clinical practice. Lumbar spinal stenosis. N Engl J Med. 2008;358(8):818-825. Verified as current

The Spine. In: Grainger RC, Allison D, Adam, Dixon AK, eds. Diagnostic Radiology: A Textbook of Medical Imaging. 5th ed. New York, NY: Churchill Livingstone; 2008:chap 60 verified as current

Curlee PM. Other disorders of the spine. In: Canale ST, Beaty JH. Campbell's Operative Orthopaedics. 11th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby Elsevier;2007:chap 21.

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