Evaluation of lumbar spine using MRI in patients with chronic low back pain

Abstract

Aim: We compared the prevalence of MR imaging features of lumbar spine degeneration in adults and with self-reported low back pain. Evaluating the patient based on the degree of disc bulge correlating findings on MRI study aimed in establishing the role of MRI in prompt diagnosis to assess the degree of disc herniation. Material and Methods : Patients were evaluated each for the following outcomes : degree of disc bulge, disc degeneration, disc extrusion, disc protrusion, annular fissures, Modic changes, central canal stenosis, spondylolisthesis and spondylolysis, RESULTS : 52 self reported cases of low back pain. 40 of them (80%) met the inclusion criteria, 12 patients had a normal MRI, disc bulge (50%), spondylolysis (20%), disc extrusion (5%), MODIC 1 changes (10%), disc protrusion (5%) and disc degeneration (10%) the degree of disc bulge in the upper lumbar levels showed significant radicular symptoms in symptomatic low back pain patients associated with degenerative changes more in older population with a greater pain scale.