A comparison of magnetic resonance imaging with electrodiagnostic findings in the evaluation of clinical radiculopathy: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Purpose The aim of this study was to evaluate the agreement of magnetic resonance imaging and electrodiagnostic studies by comparing their findings in patients with clinically suspected radiculopathy. The agreements between these two procedures and clinical findings were also examined. Methods In a 2-year cross-sectional study, a total of 114 patients with clinically suspected cervical or lumbosacral radiculopathy were included. Results The total agreements between clinical with MRI and EDX findings were 72 and 52 %, respectively while their agreements were similar in group definite (89 vs. 82 %). The agreement between EDX and MRI was 59.6 in total and 49 % with respect to clinical findings. Conclusion This study further supports that these two methods are complementary in general. It is reasonable to add EDX when there is discrepancy between MRI and clinical findings or when MRI neurologic findings are not visible.

Correlation between Findings in Physical Examination, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, and Nerve Conduction Studies in Lumbosacral Radiculopathy Caused by Lumbar Intervertebral Disc Herniation

“…is agrees with the findings of many previous studies [10][11][12][13]. Our study results showed that 56.7% of patients had abnormal findings in physical examination as well as nerve conduction studies, compared with 58% and 89.5% in two previous studies [8,9]. Electromyography (EMG) was used in conjunction with NCS to evaluate patients, and this might explain their higher figures.…”

“…In our study, any degree of nerve root compression was considered as radiological findings of radiculopathy. ere was no statistically significant association between abnormal physical examination findings (abnormal gait, absent ankle jerk, impaired sensation, and positive SLR test) and nerve root compression in MRI similar to previous studies [5,8].…”

“…Lauder et al concluded from their study that having at least one abnormal physical examination finding makes the probability of having an abnormal electrodiagnostic study more likely; however, having normal physical examination does not rule out the probability of finding abnormal EDX [11]. e current study failed to show a statistically significant correlation between MRI and NCS findings, and this corresponds with the findings of Soltani et al's study [8]. is can be explained by the fact that MRI concerned mainly with structural abnormalities, while NCS reflects the physiological integrity of the studied nerves [14].…”

“…is would suggest that abnormal physical examination findings can predict nerve root compression in MRI. Soltani et al conducted a study in 2014, and their results revealed a significant agreement between the clinical findings and relevant MRI; the results also showed that MRI had higher abnormalities than EDX in clinically irrelevant levels [8]. In our study, abnormal physical examination findings associated with the presence of nerve root compression is detected in 66.6% of patients (20 from total 30), compared with 71% and 58.6% in two previous studies [8,9].…”

Correlation of Electromyography and Magnetic Resonance Imaging Findings in the Diagnosis of Suspected Radiculopathy

“…Radiculopathy is characterized by inflammation or compression of nerve roots, producing pain and tingling, numbness, or even motor deficit along the distribution of the effected nerve root (2,3). This process typically involves a herniated nucleus pulposis that compresses the nerve root within the spinal canal; alternatively, there may be an intrinsic lesion within the structure of the nerve root, such as a tumor, or demyelinating disease might underlie.…”