A comparative study to evaluate disc degeneration on magnetic resonance imaging in patients with chronic low back pain and asymptomatic individuals

Objectives The present study aimed to investigate the association of disc degeneration with low back pain and the effect of ageing on disc degeneration in low back pain versus asymptomatic individuals. Methodology A total of 50 patients with chronic low back pain (Group A) were compared to 25 healthy controls (Group B). Both the groups were subjected to magnetic resonance imaging of the lumbar spine and the disc degeneration was measured by the Pfirrmann grading system. The study group (Group A) was further sub-grouped into A1 (lumbar spondylosis, n = 11), A2 (mechanical back pain, n = –13) and A3 (lumbar disc herniation, n = 26). Results There was a statistically significant difference in degeneration at the L4-L5 ( p = 0.001) and L5-S1 disc levels ( p = 0.001) between the two groups and contiguous disc involvement was more in low back pain patients. The subgroups of group A showed no statistically significant difference. Age showed a strong positive correlation ( r > 0.5) at all the lumbar levels (except at the L5-S1, r = 0.487) with Pfirrmann grading in Group A ( p = 0.001). There was a weak positive correlation ( r = 0.414) between age and Pfirrmann grade in the controls ( p = 0.04) at the L4-L5 level only. Conclusions Significantly higher Pfirrmann grading on magnetic resonance imaging was found at the L4-5 and L5-S1 levels in symptomatic patients suggesting higher involvement of these levels. Progressive disc degeneration is seen with ageing but in patients with low back pain, it is significantly accelerated.

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T1ρ Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Discography Pressure as Novel Biomarkers for Disc Degeneration and Low Back Pain

Spine ◽

10.1097/brs.0b013e31820287bf ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 36 (25) ◽

pp. 2190-2196 ◽

Cited By ~ 49

Author(s):

Arijitt Borthakur ◽

Philip M. Maurer ◽

Matthew Fenty ◽

Chenyang Wang ◽

Rachelle Berger ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Magnetic Resonance Imaging ◽

Low Back Pain ◽

Back Pain ◽

Magnetic Resonance ◽

Disc Degeneration ◽

Low Back ◽

Resonance Imaging ◽

Novel Biomarkers

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Age and Disc Degeneration in Low Back Pain: Automated Analysis Enables a Magnetic Resonance Imaging Comparison of Large Cross-Sectional Groups of Symptomatic and Asymptomatic Subjects

SSRN Electronic Journal ◽

10.2139/ssrn.3871218 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Amir Jamaludin ◽

Timor Kadir ◽

Andrew Zisserman ◽

iain McCall ◽

Frances MK Williams ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Magnetic Resonance Imaging ◽

Low Back Pain ◽

Back Pain ◽

Magnetic Resonance ◽

Disc Degeneration ◽

Automated Analysis ◽

Low Back ◽

Resonance Imaging ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Asymptomatic Subjects

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Does magnetic resonance imaging predict future low back pain? A systematic review

European Journal of Pain ◽

10.1002/j.1532-2149.2013.00427.x ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 18 (6) ◽

pp. 755-765 ◽

Cited By ~ 55

Author(s):

D. Steffens ◽

M.J. Hancock ◽

C.G. Maher ◽

C. Williams ◽

T.S. Jensen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Magnetic Resonance Imaging ◽

Systematic Review ◽

Low Back Pain ◽

Back Pain ◽

Magnetic Resonance ◽

Low Back ◽

Resonance Imaging

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Predictors of Spondylolysis on Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Adolescent Athletes With Low Back Pain

Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine ◽

10.1177/2325967121995466 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (4) ◽

pp. 232596712199546

Author(s):

Takuji Yokoe ◽

Takuya Tajima ◽

Hiroshi Sugimura ◽

Shinichirou Kubo ◽

Shotarou Nozaki ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Magnetic Resonance Imaging ◽

Low Back Pain ◽

Back Pain ◽

Magnetic Resonance ◽

Neurological Symptoms ◽

Low Back ◽

Resonance Imaging ◽

Advanced Imaging ◽

Adolescent Athletes ◽

Mri Scans

Background: Spondylolysis and undiagnosed mechanical low back pain (UMLBP) are the main causes of low back pain (LBP) in adolescent athletes. No studies have evaluated the difference in clinical and radiographic factors between these 2 conditions. Furthermore, it remains unclear which adolescent athletes with LBP should undergo advanced imaging examination for spondylolysis. Purpose: To compare the clinical and radiographic factors of adolescent athletes with spondylolysis and UMLBP who did not have neurological symptoms or findings before magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) evaluation and to determine the predictors of spondylolysis findings on MRI. Study Design: Cohort study, Level of evidence, 3. Methods: The study population included 122 adolescent athletes aged 11 to 18 years who had LBP without neurological symptoms or findings and who underwent MRI. Of these participants, 75 were ultimately diagnosed with spondylolysis, and 47 were diagnosed with UMLBP. Clinical factors and the following radiographic parameters were compared between the 2 groups: spina bifida occulta, lumbar lordosis (LL) angle, and the ratio of the interfacet distance of L1 to that of L5 (L1:L5 ratio, %). A logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate independent predictors of spondylolysis on MRI scans. Results: Significantly more athletes with spondylolysis were male (82.7% vs 48.9%; P < .001), had a greater LL angle (22.8° ± 8.1° vs 19.3° ± 8.5°; P = .02), and had a higher L1:L5 ratio (67.4% ± 6.3% vs 63.4% ± 6.6%; P = .001) versus athletes with UMLBP. A multivariate analysis revealed that male sex (odds ratio [OR], 4.66; P < .001) and an L1:L5 ratio of >65% (OR, 3.48; P = .003) were independent predictors of positive findings of spondylolysis on MRI scans. Conclusion: The study findings indicated that sex and the L1:L5 ratio are important indicators for whether to perform MRI as an advanced imaging examination for adolescent athletes with LBP who have no neurological symptoms and findings.

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