Iftikhar Ahmad Bhutta, Noman Muddassir, Javed Mustafa, Faisal Nawaz, Humayun Parvez.
Magnetic Resonance patterns of lumbar disc disease
J Rawal Med Coll Dec 2004;8(2):53-6.
Holy Family Hospital, Rawalpindi
Background: To highlight the magnetic resonance (MR) patterns of disc disease in lumbar spine in local and regional population with reference to age, severity and level distribution. Methods: This prospective study was done at Abrar CT and MRI Centre in collaboration with Radiology Department Rawalpindi Medical College and Holy Family Hospital. 259 patients with age ranging from 10 to 89 years, referred for low back pain from local and regional population were included in the study. Standard Saggital T1, T2 images were obtained with 4 mm cuts and 1 mm gap in saggital and axial sections. 4 mm images with 1mm gap were obtained at disc levels in transverse scanning. The images were analyzed by consultant radiologists. Results: Age of patients studied ranged from 10 to 89 years. Fifty-eight of the 259 patients (22.4%) presented in the fourth decade of life i.e. 30-39 year age group. Fiftyseven (22%) belonged to the 40-49 year age group while 47 (18.15%) were between 50 to 59 years of age. Disc bulge was found to be the most common pattern of disc disease. 208 (80.31%) of the patients presented with disc bulge. 206 (79.5%) presented with disc dehydration. 157 (60.6%) of the patients presented with disc herniation and 130 (50%) of the patients presented with reduced disc heights of all age groups and of either sex. Disc disease was most frequently seen at L4-L5 level followed by L5-S1, L3-L4, L2-L3 and L1-L2 in the declining order of frequency. Conclusions: Disc disease is most common at L4-L5 level. The most common disc disease is disc bulge, followed by disc dehydration, disc herniation and reduced disc heights. Disc disease is most common in the 30-39 year age group.
Category: Radiology
Keywords: MRI. Lumbar Spine. Vertebral Column.
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