Lumbar Spine CT synthesis from MR images using CycleGAN - a preliminary study

Abstract Objectives To investigate the role of gravity in the sedimentation of lumbar spine nerve roots using magnetic resonance (MR) imaging of various body positions. Methods A total of 56 patients, who suffered from back pain and underwent conventional supine lumbar spine MR imaging, were selected from sanmen hospital database. All the patients were called back to our hospital to perform MR imaging in prone position or lateral position. Furthermore, the sedimentation sign (SedSign) was determined based on the suspension of the nerve roots in the dural sac on cross-sectional MR images, and 31 cases were rated as positive and another 25 cases were negative. Results The mean age of negative SedSign group was significantly younger than that of positive SedSign group (51.7 ± 8.7 vs 68.4 ± 10.5, P < 0.05). The constitutions of clinical diagnosis were significantly different between patients with a positive SedSign and those with a negative SedSign (P < 0.001). Overall, nerve roots of the vast majority of patients (48/56, 85.7%) subsided to the ventral side of the dural sac on the prone MR images, although that of 8 (14.3%) patients remain stay in the dorsal side of dural sac. Nerve roots of only one patient with negative SedSign did not settle to the ventral dural sac, while this phenomenon occurred in 7 patients in positive SedSign group (4% vs 22.6%, P < 0.001). In addition, the nerve roots of all the five patients subsided to the left side of dural sac on lateral position MR images. Conclusions The nerve roots sedimentation followed the direction of gravity. Positive SedSign may be a MR sign of lumbar pathology involved the spinal canal.

Download Full-text

Disc space-targeted angled axial MR images of the lumbar spine: a potential source of diagnostic error

Skeletal Radiology ◽

10.1007/s00256-007-0383-6 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 36 (12) ◽

pp. 1147-1153 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Kush Singh ◽

Clyde A. Helms ◽

David Fiorella ◽

Nancy A. Major

Keyword(s):

Lumbar Spine ◽

Diagnostic Error ◽

Mr Images ◽

Disc Space ◽

Potential Source

Download Full-text

A Simplified Method for Conversion of Lumbar Spine CT Images into Three-Dimensional Solid Model

Recent Advances in Mechanical Infrastructure - Lecture Notes in Intelligent Transportation and Infrastructure ◽

10.1007/978-981-33-4176-0_41 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 485-493

Author(s):

Pushpdant Jain ◽

J. Francis Xavier

Keyword(s):

Lumbar Spine ◽

Three Dimensional ◽

Ct Images ◽

Solid Model ◽

Spine Ct ◽

Simplified Method

Download Full-text

Are general practitioners referring patients with low back pain for CTs appropriately according to the guidelines: a retrospective review of 3609 medical records in Newfoundland using routinely collected data

BMC Family Practice ◽

10.1186/s12875-020-01308-5 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Gabrielle S. Logan ◽

Russell Eric Dawe ◽

Kris Aubrey-Bassler ◽

Danielle Coombs ◽

Patrick Parfrey ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Low Back Pain ◽

Back Pain ◽

Lumbar Spine ◽

General Practitioners ◽

Ct Imaging ◽

Low Back ◽

Spine Ct ◽

Red Flag ◽

Radicular Syndrome ◽

Record Review

Abstract Background CT Imaging is often requested for patients with low back pain (LBP) by their general practitioners. It is currently unknown what reasons are common for these referrals and if CT images are ordered according to guidelines in one province in Canada, which has high rates of CT imaging. The objective of this study is to categorise lumbar spine CT referrals into serious spinal pathology, radicular syndrome, and non-specific LBP and evaluate the appropriateness of CT imaging referrals from general practitioners for patients with LBP. Methods A retrospective medical record review of electronic health records was performed in one health region in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. Inclusion criteria were lumbar spine CT referrals ordered by general practitioners for adults ≥18 years, and performed between January 1st-December 31st, 2016. Each CT referral was identified from linked databases (Meditech and PACS). To the study authors’ knowledge, guidelines regarding when to refer patients with low back pain for CT imaging had not been actively disseminated to general practitioners or implemented at clinics/hospitals during this time period. Data were manually extracted and categorised into three groups: red flag conditions (judged to be an appropriate referral), radicular syndrome (judged be unclear appropriateness), or nonspecific LBP (determined to be inappropriate). Results Three thousand six hundred nine lumbar spine CTs were included from 2016. The mean age of participants was 54.7 (SD 14 years), with females comprising 54.6% of referrals. 1.9% of lumbar CT referrals were missing/unclear, 6.5% of CTs were ordered on a red-flag suspicion, 75.6% for radicular syndromes, and 16.0% for non-specific LBP; only 6.5% of referrals were clearly appropriate. Key information including patient history and clinical exams performed at appointment were often missing from referrals. Conclusion This audit found high proportions of inappropriate or questionable referrals for lumbar spine CT and many were missing information needed to categorise. Further research to understand the drivers of inappropriate imaging and cost to the healthcare system would be beneficial.

Download Full-text