Question
What would have been the difference if I had taken a MRI standing?  Should I ask for one to be taken while standing?
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Followup To

Question -
I took a MRI and these were my findings, could you please explain this to me so I can understand what all of this mean:  The conus medullaris extends to the level of L1-L2.  No pre or paravertebral soft tissue masses are seen.  The heights of the lumbar vertebral bodies are preserved with no evidence of compression fracture or listhesis.  There is facet hypertrophy at L4-L5 and L5-S1.

Answer -
Pam:

Thanks for writing!

This means: Your spinal cord is about as long as it should be. There were no tumours seen. The cushions between your bones do not appear to be squished or worn out.  Your bones are in pretty good shape in your low back. There is a bit of overgrowth of the bones where the lower bones fit together.

I assume this MRI was done with you laying down. A MRI which was done when you were standing might show an entirely different story.

Does this answer your question?

Dr. Rozeboom

Answer
Pam:

The differences between a standing MRI and one done with the patient lying down are considerable. The stress on the spine is much greater when standing. Bones move around and the cushions between your bones may squish out or otherwise change.

This fact has been know in chiropractic circles since 1935 when Dr. Logan did his research and compared the views on xrays. Things do change when standing. Recent research with MRI has found the same thing, but I do not know how well-known these recent discoveries are in medical circles. Besides, the entire MRI machine would have to be redesigned except for those machines which were designed to do standing MRI in the first place.

Does this give you the information you need?

Dr. Rozeboom