Evaluation of low back pain with low field open magnetic resonance imaging scanner in rural hospital of Southern India

ABSTRACTBackground: Low back pain (LBP) is the most common symptom which is associated with limitation of normal activities and work-related disability. Imaging techniques are often essential in making the correct diagnosis for prompt management. Plain Radiography though remain a first imaging modality, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) due to its inherent softtissue contrast resolution and lack of ionizing radiation remains invaluable modality in the evaluation of LBP. Aim: To find the common causes of LBP in different age groups and the role of MRI in detecting the spectrum of various pathological findings. Materials and Methods: This is a prospective study done in the Department of Radiodiagnosis during a period of 2 years from July 2013 to July 2015. The study population includes all the cases referred to our department with complaints of LBP. Patients with ferromagnetic metallic implants and uncooperative cases were excluded. HITACHI 0.4 Tesla open MRI machine was used for imaging. Results and Conclusion: This study involved a total of 235 cases. There were 121 males and 114 females. The age of the patient ranged from 21 to 68 years with an average of 41.3 years. Back pain was commonly observed in the third to fifth decade. The common causes for back pain are disc herniations (disc bulge - 35.3%, disc protrusion - 39.6%, disc extrusion - 7.2%) accounting to 82.1%, followed by normal study (10.2%), vertebral collapse (traumatic - 2.1%, osteoporotic - 1.7%), infections (2.1%), and neoplasm (1.7%). MRI provides valuable information regarding the underlying causes of LBP, especially in disc and marrow pathology.

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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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