My back – MRI images
This morning I got to go on a run with a couple old friends. Assaf and Jay flew into town last night and stayed at our place. They’re headed down the coast for a surfing weekend. But before they took off, we went on an easy run around the neighborhood. Unfortunately, we didn’t have time to get to some trails or even to the beach for the run. Whatever. It was just fun to run and hang out with them. I told them about my up-coming re-do on my 2003 back surgery. Being doctors (and friends), they both wanted to help me find the best doctor to do the surgery and wanted to see the MRI.
So after the run, they spent a few minutes looking at the images from my January MRI and showing me how to read them. I’m fascinated by MRI’s and MRI images and decided to post a couple images below. If you think you’ll be grossed out, just stop reading now, but if you’re psyched to see something pretty neat, keep going. There’s no blood or guts or anything like that.
This first image is a side view. You should be able to figure out the orientation, but the white line going down the right hand side of the image is the outer edge of my back. The whitish-grey “lump” that I circled is the ependymoma (a type of tumor related to the central nervous system). To me, the thing looks pretty big. Assaf explained to me how it’s possible that, despite its size, I am not having any symptoms. Something about being blessed with a generous-sized spinal canal and being lucky about where the tumor has grown in relation to the location of the nerve roots.
This image is from the top, looking down at a cross-section. The fact that an MRI can do this is amazing to me. Using 3D rendering, it’s able to “see” vertically down the inside of my back at all different points. The below shot must be a mirror image, because the outside of my back is at the bottom, but the “left” side of the image says it’s the “right” side of my back.
The next step in this process is for me to figure out who will do the surgery and when it’s going to happen.
But that’s no fun. Instead, let’s think about all the running on tap for the weekend. I’m very excited for that!
Run – Apr 6
Distance: 5 miles
Time: 42 min
Course: Home from Culver City
Conditions: Evening, clear, mid-60s
Indoor bike – Apr 7
Time: 40 min
Dude thanks for sharing. MRI is amazing but what is awesome to see is how lean you are!! The 2nd image showing your back, that white line is your adipose tissuse or lack there of! Your Lean & Mean!
Rockon’
So what you’re saying is that I should quit my bitchin about my f’d up weekend? Noted.