Question about a lumbar MRI without contrast VS

MRInewbie · Joined: 21 Aug 2009 Posts: 2

I new to radiology and have a question, which will help me, as I should know these answers by now, and we have a test coming up.

Below is a sample MRI done WITH AND WITHOUT CONTRAST

HOW WOULD THE SAME MRI LOOK , WITHOUT CONTRAST?
( I know contrast lets you see more detail, but can not figure out how to rewrite how this report would look taken without contrast) and my test is on Wednesday.

Examination : MRI OF LUMBAR SPINE WITH AND WITHOUT CONTRAST

T1E sagittal images along with T2W sagittal images and axial T1Wimages were obtained. Axial and sagital T1W images were obtained following contrast.

FINDINGS: There is moderate-sized left posterolateral disc herniation at L5 S1 with moderate ventral effacement of the thecal sac and effacement of the left S1 nerve root. At L4-5 there is a small central disc herniation present with moderate central spinal stenosis. Diffuse central disk bulging is present at L2-3. The L1-2 and L3-4 intervertebral disc are within normal limits. No compression fractures are noted.

IMPRESSION: 1 MODERATE-SIZED LEFT POSTERLATERAL DISC HERNIATION AT L5-S1 WITH MODERATE EFFACEMENT OF THE THECAL SAC AND EFFACEMENT OF THE LEFT S1 NERVE ROOT.

2. SMALL CENTRAL DISC HERNIATION AT L4-5 WITH MODERATE CENTRAL SPINAL STENOSIS.

3. DIFFUSE CENTRAL DISC BULGING IS PRESENT AT L2-3

4. NO OTHER FINDINGS ARE INDENTIFIED.