MRI Evaluation of Lumbar Disc Degenerative Disease
Introduction: Lower back pain secondary to degenerative disc disease is a condition that affects young to middle-aged persons with peak incidence at approximately 40 y. MRI is the standard imaging modality for detecting disc pathology due to its advantage of lack of radiation, multiplanar imagin...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
JCDR Research and Publications Private Limited
2015-04-01
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| Series: | Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://jcdr.net/articles/PDF/5761/11927_CE(RA1)_F(T)_PF1(PAK)_PFA(P)_PF2(PAG).pdf |
| Summary: | Introduction: Lower back pain secondary to degenerative disc
disease is a condition that affects young to middle-aged persons
with peak incidence at approximately 40 y. MRI is the standard
imaging modality for detecting disc pathology due to its advantage
of lack of radiation, multiplanar imaging capability, excellent spinal
soft-tissue contrast and precise localization of intervertebral discs
changes.
Aims and Objective: To evaluate the characterization, extent, and
changes associated with the degenerative lumbar disc disease by
Magnetic Resonance Imaging.
Study Design: Cross-sectional and observational study.
Materials and Methods: A total 109 patients of the lumbar disc
degeneration with age group between 17 to 80 y were diagnosed
& studied on 1.5 Tesla Magnetic Resonance Imaging machine.
MRI findings like lumbar lordosis, Schmorl’s nodes, decreased
disc height, disc annular tear, disc herniation, disc bulge, disc
protrusion and disc extrusion were observed. Narrowing of the
spinal canal, lateral recess and neural foramen with compression
of nerve roots observed. Ligamentum flavum thickening and
facetal arthropathy was observed.
Result: Males were more commonly affected in Degenerative
Spinal Disease & most of the patients show loss of lumbar lordosis.
Decreased disc height was common at L5-S1 level. More than
one disc involvement was seen per person. L4 – L5 disc was the
most commonly involved. Annular disc tear, disc herniation, disc
extrusion, narrowing of spinal canal, narrowing of lateral recess,
compression of neural foramen, ligamentum flavum thickening
and facetal arthropathy was common at the L4 –L5 disc level.
Disc buldge was common at L3 – L4 & L4 – L5 disc level. Posterior
osteophytes are common at L3 - L4 & L5 –S1 disc level. L1- L2
disc involvement and spondylolisthesis are less common.
Conclusion: Lumbar disc degeneration is the most common cause
of low back pain. Plain radiograph can be helpful in visualizing
gross anatomic changes in the intervertebral disc. But, MRI is the
standard imaging modality for detecting disc pathology due to
its advantage of lack of radiation, multiplanar imaging capability,
excellent spinal soft-tissue contrast and precise localization of
intervertebral discs changes. |
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| ISSN: | 2249-782X 0973-709X |