Diagnostic Capability of Low- Versus High-Field Magnetic Resonance Imaging for Lumbar Degenerative Disease

Lee, Ryan K. L.; Griffith, James F.; Lau, Yvonne Yan On; Leung, Justin; Ng, Alex Wing Hung; Hung, Edward; Law, Sheung Wai

doi:10.1097/brs.0000000000000774

Cited by 27 publications

(28 citation statements)

References 28 publications

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“…The diagnostic capability of low-field MRI (0.25 T) has been found comparable to that of high-field MRI (1.5 T and 3.0 T) with respect to degenerative findings of the lumbar spine, and it is not expected that the field strength had an influence on the results of the present study [48].…”

Section: Limitationssupporting

confidence: 72%

An exploratory study of different definitions and thresholds for lumbar disc degeneration assessed by MRI and their associations with low back pain using data from a cohort study of a general population

Dragsbæk

Kjær

Hancock

et al. 2020

BMC Musculoskelet Disord

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Background: Lumbar disc degeneration seen on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is defined as loss of signal intensity and/or disc height, alone or in combination with other MRI findings. The MRI findings and thresholds used to define disc degeneration vary in the literature, and their associations with low back pain (LBP) remain uncertain. Objective: To explore how various thresholds of lumbar disc degeneration alter the association between disc degeneration and self-reported LBP. Methods: An exploratory, cross-sectional cohort study of a general population. Participants in the cohort 'Backs-on-Funen' had MRI scans and completed questionnaires about LBP at ages 41, 45 and 49 years. The MRI variables, signal intensity (Grades 0-3) and disc height (Grades 0-3), were dichotomised at different thresholds. Logistic regression analyses were used to determine associations. Arbitrarily, a difference in odds ratio (OR) of > 0.5 between thresholds was considered clinically relevant. Receiver Operating Characteristic curves were used to investigate differences between diagnostic values at each threshold. Results: At age 41, the difference in ORs between signal loss and LBP exceeded 0.5 between the thresholds of ≥2 (OR = 2.02) and = 3 (OR = 2.57). Difference in area under the curves (AUC) was statistically significant (p = 0.02). At ages 45 and 49, the difference in ORs exceeded 0.5 between the thresholds of ≥2 and = 3, but the differences between AUC were not statistically significant. At age 41, the difference in ORs between disc height loss and LBP at the thresholds of ≥1 (OR = 1.44) and ≥ 2 (OR = 2.53) exceeded 0.5. Differences in AUC were statistically significant (p = 0.004). At age 49, differences in ORs exceeded 0.5 (OR = 2.49 at the ≥1 threshold, 1.84 at ≥2 and 0.89 at =3). Differences between AUC were not statistically significant.

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Section: Limitationssupporting

confidence: 72%

An exploratory study of different definitions and thresholds for lumbar disc degeneration assessed by MRI and their associations with low back pain using data from a cohort study of a general population

Dragsbæk

Kjær

Hancock

et al. 2020

BMC Musculoskelet Disord

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“…Therefore, there has been an increasing emphasis of late on the further development of low-field MRI systems (0.25-0.6 T) that are less expensive, with lower running costs, and low siting requirements, yet still produce images of comparable diagnostic capability for most clinical MRI studies that do not require ultra-high resolution. 28,29 The new open-bore configuration of low-field MRI systems can, depending on the particular machine design, allow for intervention MR guidance and scanning in various body positions including upright weight-bearing postures.…”

Section: Upright Weight-bearing Mri Systemsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…8). 29 However, differences in reliability of the evaluation of tissue properties have been found between low-field and high-field MRI. The overall prevalence of disk degeneration graded by Pfirrmann's grading scale across MRI field strengths (0.25 T versus 3 T) was reported.…”

Section: Mri Findings On Low-field Versus High-field Mr Systemsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Weight-bearing MRI of the Lumbar Spine: Technical Aspects

Nordberg

Hansen

Nybing

et al. 2019

Semin Musculoskelet Radiol

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Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has an established role in the assessment of degenerative musculoskeletal conditions. However, conventional supine MRI findings often correlate poorly with clinical findings. Some patients experience accentuated back pain in the weight-bearing position. Therefore, supine MRI may underestimate the severity of degenerative spine findings. To try and improve the clinical validity of spine imaging, axial loading devices have been used with conventional supine MR imaging to simulate loading of the upright spine. More recently, upright weight-bearing MRI systems (0.25–0.6 T) were introduced, allowing images to be obtained in the standing or seated weight-bearing position and even during upright flexion or extension, rotation, or bending. Some scanners even enable capturing of real-time spinal movement. This review addresses the technical aspects and potential challenges of weight-bearing MRI, both in clinical practice and research.

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“…Using a i.e., a tilting low-field magnet of 0.25 T, supine and upright WB-MRI of the knee, spine and foot can be performed with potential added diagnostic value in selected pathologies 37,38 . Supine imaging of the spine in the WB-MRI system has also shown to have equal diagnostic potential in degenerative spine disease compared to high-field MRI examinations 39 . One study of KOA patients found that medial meniscal extrusion was significantly higher in WB-MRI compared to supine, and with a better correlation with KLG on CR and WORMS scores 40 .…”

Section: Diagnosismentioning

confidence: 99%