Demographics:
22 years old, Male
Indication:
Back pain and urinary retention following weightlifting
Findings
- Central patchy T2/STIR signal hyperintensity and mild expansion of the conus
- Broad-based disc bulge at L5-S1 in combination with facet hypertrophy and endplate osteophytes contributes to mild bilateral neural foraminal stenosis without significant spinal canal stenosis
- Mild facet hypertrophy at L4-L5 without significant neural foraminal stenosis
- Normal marrow signal
- Normal alignment
Diagnosis
Fibrocartilaginous embolism (FCE)
Sample Report
Abnormal T2/STIR signal hyperintensity and mild expansion of the conus medullaris. Primary differential considerations include infectious/inflammatory myelitis, spinal dural AV fistula, and infarct secondary to fibrocartilaginous embolism given the reported history of weightlifting.
Discussion