Question
QUESTION: Hello, I have a couple of questions.

What is considered the lower back? Like, where does it start and where does it end?

If I get a lower back MRI, would they be able to see my aorta? If yes, how much of it can they see?

If they can see the aorta, would they be able to tell if it was enlarged, or in the process of becoming enlarged?

I ask this because I am really freaking out about something.

Thank you!

ANSWER: lower back, abdominal aorta, staten island chiropractor dr. victor dolan, low back MRI, lumbar spine. staten island chiropractic,





Hello Nick,

Thank you for the question.  I am sorry you are 'freaking out' about something.

First, ALL medical testing is just one piece to a many piece puzzle.  The only medical test that is 100% is an autopsy, and no one wants to go through that.

IF, if you have had a Lumbar Spine MRI (a 'low back' MRI), that test will take a picture of your Lumbar spine- the five lower, movable bones of your spine.  The Lumbar MRI will GENERALLY take in the first lumbar through the first or second sacral segment.  SOMETIMES the Lumbar MRI will also take in the 11th or 12th Thoracic (mid-back) vertebrae.
         A 'low back' or Lumbar MRI is taken with the picture focused at the Lumbar spine.  The parts BEST viewed are the bones/ discs/ nerves/ muscles of the lower back.  Other structures may be viewed 'incidentally', or almost 'accidentally'.

The lowest part of the Aorta ends in a bifurcation, usually around L4 (see also:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abdominal_aorta ), where the one Aorta forks into two Common Iliac Arteries.  So an MRI may view your abdominal aorta.  But, to truly study the abdomen to study the Aorta, perhaps an abdominal/pelvic ultrasound would be warranted, perhaps an Aortic MRA- a test SPECIFICALLY designed  to view the Aorta.

If your 'low back' (lumbar) MRI has views including the Aorta, the radiologist specialist who evaluates the MRI may comment upon the Aorta.  But, good or bad news about the Aorta would require additional examination by additional tests, and perhaps a visit to a vascular specialist http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vascular_surgery .  Your Chiropractic Doctor(DC) or your Medical Doctor(MD) will refer you to a vascular specialist if some finding on your lumbar MRI indicates a need.

So, I do not know if you are thinking 'good' or 'bad' news about your Aorta because of a lumbar MRI.  With either good or bad news, further evaluation would be necessary.  If you are 'freaking out' and concerned---- speak to your treating doctor (DC or MD), get an appropriate referral to a vascular specialist, and probably get further specialized testing to examine your concerns.

Yes, a Lumbar MRI does view the abdominal aorta, but further testing will probably be necessary to be most correct, most thorough.  If you were in my Staten Island Chiropractic office, and if  you had concerns, I would recommend you to a Vascular MD colleague.

Do not 'freak out'- get the proper testing by the appropriate specialist!

Again, thank you for the question.  I wish you a calm mind, and Good Health Naturally.

Your Staten Island Chiropractor friend,

Dr. Victor Dolan, DC
www.DrVictorDolan.net  





---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you for the great answer!

I did have a lower back MRI. I actually just got a call from my doctor today so he can tell me the results. I need to schedule an apt. with my neuro because she's the one that ordered the MRI and my doctor doesn't really know much about the results.

All I remember him saying was something about "minor degenerative facet changes" somewhere in my lower back.

What does that mean?

Answer
staten island chiropractor, dr. victor dolan, MRI, back pain, facet degeneration,





Hello ,

Thank you for your followup question.

You state:  "....I did have a lower back MRI. I actually just got a call from my doctor today so he can tell me the results. I need to schedule an apt. with my neuro because she's the one that ordered the MRI and my doctor doesn't really know much about the results.....".
         You can certainly go to see your MD Neurologist as she ordered the test.  ANY test is important for what it shows,,,, as well as for what it does NOT show.  By that I mean that it does look like you have an explanation for your back pain= "minor degenerative facet changes", so the test does show something, the test shows something consistent with your complaint, AND the test also should calm your mind because it does NOT show a fracture, a cancer, a tumor or some other occult and severe pathology.  
         Your MD Neurologist may decide to send you to a physical therapist for some exercise instruction and/or some therapy treatment for the lower back.  Your MD Neurologist may also decide to prescribe some medication(s) for your complaints, perhaps painkillers, perhaps anti-inflammatory medication, perhaps muscle relaxants.  Your Medical Doctor Neurologist will perhaps try to manage your complaints- medically.
         You could also choose to go see an MD Orthopedist who specializes in back pain.  That MD would probably treat you similarly to the MD Neurologist (physical therapy w/wo medication as above).

You could also choose to see your local Doctor of Chiropractic, this sounds like it could be the type of problem Chiropractic Doctors see all the time.   Just as there are many kinds of Medical Doctors (MDs), there are many specialties which Chiropractic Doctors (DCs) can choose, see: http://www.acatoday.org/pdf/ApprovedChiropracticSpecialtyPrograms.pdf
       You may wish to see a Chiropractic Radiologist to further explain your Xray, CT, and MR findings.  You may wish to see a Chiropractic Neurologist if you have a 'pinched nerve', radiculopathy- pain going into your head or arm.  You may wish to see a Chiropractic Orthopedist if you have had an injury, or a Chiropractic Rehabilitation specialist.  If you injured yourself in a sport event, perhaps you could see a Chiropractic Sports injury doctor.

You  ask: "......All I remember him saying was something about "minor degenerative facet changes" somewhere in my lower back.   What does that mean?........"
       The facet joints are on the posterior of the spine, the back of the back, the posterior of the vertebrae.  http://www.spine-health.com/conditions/arthritis/facet-joint-disorders-and-back- , good picture: http://www.spineuniverse.com/anatomy/facet-joints-spine-anatomy ,
LOTS of info:  http://www.chiroweb.com/mpacms/dc/search.php?q=facet+joints&site=ChiroWeb&entqr= , http://www.dynamicchiropractic.com/mpacms/dc/article.php?id=38304 .

Facet changes are probably arthritic (degenerative) changes that have taken place.  These changes can take place due to injury, trauma, poor posture, repeated motions over time.

I would recommend seeing your local Chiropractic Doctor- I think he(she) could be helpful for you!

Whatever route you choose, I wish you Good Luck and Good Health, Naturally!

Your Staten Island Chiropractor Friend,
Dr. Victor Dolan, DC, DACBSP