MRI C-SPINE HELP

[lorirat]

Hi to all:
Here are the results of my MRI. Any help would be appreciated.
C1-2 mild compression of the Dorsal margin of the thecal sac due to the decreased AP dimension of the posterior arch of C1 Last MRI C1-2 was perfect
C2-3 minimal posterior bulge of the disc is present with minimal narrowing of the central spinal canal.
C3-4 small posterior midline disc protrusion causing minimal thecal sac compression, this is a new finding from 2004 MRI. Mild developmental stenosis of the central spinal canal. Neural foraminal are normal
C4-5 Operative changes are present from an anterior interbody fusion and anterior plate fixation. Mild developmental stenosis of the central spinal canal is noted.
C5-6, 6-7 Operative changes are present as above
C7-t1 normal
There is a 7 x 12 x 13 mm slightly lobulated solid mass in the cervical posterolateral superficial fascia located approx. 2cm inferior to the base of the skull and approx. 3.2 cm to the left of midline. The mass caused minimal indentation of the subjacent paraspinal muscles. Mass is located approx. 4mm deep into the skin. The mass may be a small lymph node. The mass was also present in the prior MRI exams on 12/2003 and 11/204 and is unchanged in appearance. ( could this cause severe shoulder pain???) see post in muscles, joints.
My sed rate is also elevated at 22. RBC and HCT are low. c-reactive protein is fine. Is there an area where to post and ask questions on blood test results??

[Dr. Sinuhe]

Dear Lorirat,

The MRI report as such means very little. Being a neurosurgeon, I have never in my life seen a ”normal” spine MRI. It is always the clinical symptoms and results of physical examination together with radiology (MRI) that count. Therefore, you should discuss your concerns again with your own doctor who knows why the MRI was taken in the first place – and not pay too much attention purely on what a radiologist says. As such, the MRI report does not sound too strange or worrying to me, just that you’ve had operations for some reason and that your neck is not 100% healthy, but, as I said, to give any recommendations requires knowledge of your symptoms and signs (= findings on physical examination).

Without seeing the "extra mass" it is, again, impossible to determine its nature. You should consult your own doctor about that as well, but obviously it is a relief that it is unchanged from the previous scans. It does sound unlikely that it could cause severe shoulder pain, but without knowing your symptoms and not having seen the MRI, it is impossible to be accurate here.

Keep us posted here on the forum!

Dr. Joshua adds: This is Dr. Sinuhe's first post on the forum. Pleasure to have you on board, and thanks for the great answer!