MRI results: no congestion, but disc bulge found

[kevin]

I recently got my MRI results back. It turns out that my varicocele is the only instance of vasodilation in my pelvic vasculature. This is a disappointment, since I was hoping to find a clear and widespread congestion of the pelvic veins. (Isn't strange how we're being conditioned to hope they do find something wrong with us?)

At the end of my report, though, there is the following statement:

"Incidental note is made of degenerative signal at the lower two disc space levels of the lumbar spine. A small L3-4 broad-based disc bulge is identified also. This examination was not tailored to examine the lumbar spine, however."

Could the bulge be it? And what on earth is a "degenerative signal"? I've had all kinds of chronic lower back problems, both skeletal and muscular. I've read on this board of chronic prostatitis / chronic pelvic pain syndrome being caused by disc bulges. I wonder if I could have a pinched nerve or something else spine-related. Any thoughts?

The other question is whether the pain is being caused by my varicocele. Sure, my pain isn't scrotal, but if the problem isn't with my veins, why is the Sudafed working? I've read that a varicocele is the male equivalent of pelvic congestion, but until I find evidence that a varicocele can cause pelvic pain, I will keep this theory on the shelf. I'd be interested to hear if anyone here has had varicocele removal or embolization.

Best,

Kevin

[alprost]

Your lower back problems may be connected to your chronic prostatitis / chronic pelvic pain syndrome or it may be a completely seperate issue. It is very difficult to tell until you have your pelvic floor examined by a PT experienced in this area. In addition to having the lumber spine issue investigated, I'd also get a pelvic floor examination. This is easier said than done however, as there are few suitable PT's. Some advice for locating a practitioner can be found towards the end of this article:

https://ucpps.men/chronic-prostatitis-is-a-psychoneuromuscular-condition

My own hunch is that varicoles etc. are an effect rather than a cause of CPPS.

[Ralph]

"Incidental note is made of degenerative signal at the lower two disc space levels of the lumbar spine. A small L3-4 broad-based disc bulge is identified also. This examination was not tailored to examine the lumbar spine, however."

Could the bulge be it? And what on earth is a "degenerative signal"?

That means the water content in the center of the disc has desicated (dried up). The center of the disc, called the nucleus pulposis, is made up mainly of water. When the disc "degenerates" that water has somehow left the disc. This causes the disc to appear dark on MRI. The water appears bright or white on an MRI. A normal disc would have this brightness in the center of the disc. These discs can be a source of back pain for many people and are very very common. In fact, it would be unusal for someone past the age of 30 not to show some degenerative changes. Many people younger than that also have it espacially if the have been very active or sustained some kind of repetitive trauma.

We just weren't meant to walk on two legs.

[webslave]

Could the bulge be it?

Disc bulges are common and usually inconsequential findings. But if the bulge is this bad, it is important:

[Ralph]

Disc herniations and buldges are two different things. Above are very good examples of herniations which could cause many problems including pelvic and bladder problems (depending on the level of the herniation. T12/L1 and L1/L2 levels affect the bladder and pelvis). A buldge still has an intact annulus which is the fibrous ring keeping the nucleus in the center of the disc. When that annulus ruptures or tears, we get a herniation. The nuclear material actually squirts out into the spinal canal as demonstrated in the above post. Great pictures by the way.