<human>: Hi! I recently had a MRI of my brain. The findings state that there are small bilateral mastoid effusions. Mild ethmoid, right maxillary and frontal mucosal thickening, congestive or inflammatory. It also says a c4-c5 disc osteophyte complex partially effaces the ventral subarachnoid space. I also had a MRI of the cervical spine that states a mild reversal of the normal lordotic curve is seen either due to position and/or spasm. Can you please explain to me what this means and what symptoms would these cause. Thanks!
<bot>: Hi, I am here with tried to give details in simple words-- Small bilateral mastoid effusions: It means there is mild fluid collection in mastoid air cells located within mastoid bone (prominent bone just behind ear) on both sides. It may be associated with infection.- Mild ethmoid, right maxillary and frontal mucosal thickening, congestive or inflammatory : Mucosa (layer or lining) of sinuses is thickened which may be due to infection (inflammatory) or allergic (congestion). Above findings may indicate infection that may present with fever, cough, cold, throat pain. - c4-c5 disc means layer in between cervical spine (bone) no 4 & 5. - osteophyte means bony spicules.- ventral: anterior or to the front.- subarachnoid space: it is a fluid filled space surrounding the spinal cord.- c4-c5 disc osteophyte complex partially effaces the ventral subarachnoid space: It means bony spicules causes compression of subarachnoid space anteriorly.- mild reversal of the normal lordosis curve is seen either due to position and/or spasm: It means loss of normal curvature of cervical spine (convex anteriorly) i.e. loss of curve and spine become straight which may be due to position (position of head and neck while doing MRI) or spasm (muscle spasm)Above findings may present with neck pain with stiffness, pain radiating from neck to shoulder or arms.