What is effacement of the thecal sac?
What is effacement of the thecal sac?
The thecal sac contains the cerebrospinal fluid which provides nutrients and buoyancy to the spinal cord. When effacement or impingement is identified on the report, it means that the sheathe surrounding your spinal cord and nerves is being pressed on.
Does thecal sac effacement cause pain?
This bulging material may contact or “pinch” the thecal sac or nerve roots. There are a variety of symptoms n a case like the one above. Some people may experience little to no discomfort, while others may have severe radicular pain, which travels to the shoulder blade, down the arm and into the hand or fingers.
What is the anterior thecal sac?
Pathophysiology. The thecal sac, enclosing the spinal cord and cauda equina, sits within a protective ring of bone consisting of the vertebral body anteriorly, and the pedicles, lamina, and spinous process posteriorly. The latter three structures form what is collectively referred to as the posterior arch.
What is a normal thecal sac measurement?
SAC Measurements of: > 18 mm = normal. 15 to 17 mm = possible abnormality. < 14 mm = concerning for spinal cord compression.
What does effacement mean on MRI?
What does effacement mean on MRI? Effacement means obliterating or erasing while right neural to the Intervertebral foramen: an opening between vertebrae through which nerves leave the spine and extend to other parts of the body. Lateral recess is descriptive term of the foramen.
Is thecal sac compression serious?
Metastatic epidural spinal cord compression is a common complication of cancer that can cause pain and potentiaLly irreversible loss of neurologic function. In most cases this syndrome is caused by compression of the thecal sac and the spinal cord by extradural metastatic mass.
What are the symptoms of thecal sac compression?
Compression of the spinal cord is a spinal condition that can occur at any section of the spine and may cause pain, muscle weakness, or numbness.
What does the thecal sac do?
The thecal sac or dural sac is the membranous sheath (theca) or tube of dura mater that surrounds the spinal cord and the cauda equina. The thecal sac contains the cerebrospinal fluid which provides nutrients and buoyancy to the spinal cord.
How many mm is severe cervical stenosis?
Spinal stenosis occurs when the canal narrows to 13 millimeters or less. When the size drops to 10 millimeters, severe symptoms of myelopathy occur.
What does thecal sac mean?
Medical Definition of thecal sac : the membranous sac of dura mater covering the spinal cord and cauda equina and containing cerebrospinal fluid.
Does thecal sac compression require surgery?
Treatment for Spinal Cord Compression Non-surgical treatments can be very effective in controlling pain and reducing inflammation. Depending on the patient, surgery may not be necessary. When non-surgical methods fail to treat severe neurological issues or pain, surgery may be the best course of action.
Pain and stiffness in the neck,back,or lower back
What does flattening of the thecal sac mean?
What does flattening of the thecal sac mean? Thecal Sac Compression – The spinal cord and nerves are also protected by a membrane filled with cerebral spinal fluid known as the thecal sac or dural sac. Flattening or compression of the thecal sac will occur in other conditions that cause pressure or pinching of the spinal cord, such as stenosis.
What is an anterior impression on the thecal sac?
Thecal sac impingement is the protective membrane which surrounds the spinal cord and the sensitive neurological structures. If the thecal sac effacement of your spinal cord is damaged it will eventually lead to truly painful conditions. This is mostly a symptom for another condition.
What is effacement of the anterior subarachnoid space?
The “Valve Mechanism”.