Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Lumbar Spine in Young Arabs with Low Back Pain

Abstract

Study DesignA prospective study.PurposeTo Investigate the prevalence of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) changes of the lumbar spine in low back pain (LBP) and the associated risk factors in young Arab population.Overview of LiteratureStudies on the prevalence of MRI findings and their relationship with LBP have been conducted; these have occurred in adult populations in developed countries. The prevalence of MRI changes in the young Arab population with LBP is not known.MethodsTwo hundred and fourteen patients of Arab origin in the 16 to 29 year age group with LBP symptoms underwent MRI examinations. The prevalence of MRI changes in the lumbar spine and associated risk factors were determined and compared to age, race, and gender-matched controls.ResultsA majority (64%) of the patients with LBP (138 out of 214) were found to have MRI evidence of degenerative disc disease (DD) compared to 10% (22 out of 214) in the control group. The majority (61%) of patients had multiple level disease, most commonly involving the lowest 2 disc levels. Reduced signal of the disc followed by disc bulge was the most common MRI features seen in the symptomatic subjects. Obesity correlated with MRI prevalence of abnormalities, while activity demonstrated a positive trend.ConclusionsThe MRI prevalence of DD among the young Arab patients with LBP is high when compared to other reports in literature. Obesity correlated with MRI prevalence of abnormalities while activity demonstrated a positive trend.

MRI Findings of Disc Degeneration are More Prevalent in Adults with Low Back Pain than in Asymptomatic Controls: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“…[21][22][23][24] On the contrary, prevalence of disc extrusions ranged from 5% to 10% in symptomatic populations. [21][22][23][24] One surprising finding from our study was that disc bulge had a strong association with low back pain. Because of the high prevalence in the asymptomatic population, disc bulges are often considered incidental findings and not associated with low back pain.…”

“…All 3 studies included in our meta-analysis assessing the association between disc bulges and pain demonstrated a very strong association between disc bulge with low back pain. 19,21,31 Two of these studies only included patients younger than 30 years of age. 21,31 These findings suggest that the association between disc bulge and low back pain may be more significant in younger adults, in whom the prevalence in the general asymptomatic population is much lower.…”

“…19,21,31 Two of these studies only included patients younger than 30 years of age. 21,31 These findings suggest that the association between disc bulge and low back pain may be more significant in younger adults, in whom the prevalence in the general asymptomatic population is much lower. It is possible that the association between disc bulges and low back pain disappears in older populations, in whom the prevalence of this imaging finding is Ͼ90% in the asymptomatic population.…”

Central Sagittal Angle of the Sacrum as a New Risk Factor for Patients with Persistent Low Back Pain after Caesarean Section

“…1 ) because MRI is the investigation of choice for LBP when symptoms of LBP persist for several months. Modic changes are reported to range from 12% to 58% [ 17 ]. We evaluated Modic changes frequently seen in patients with LBP because their presence may relate to clinical symptoms.…”

Comparison of Lomber and Cervical Magnetic Resonance Imaging Findings in Young Adults with Low-Back Pain

“…7,[12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20] Ancak, dejenerasyonun şid-detinin yaş ile ilişkili olduğu ve ağrı süresinin de dejenerasyon şiddeti ile ilişkili olduğu bilinmektedir. 2,14,[18][19][20][21][22][23][24] Bu bağlamda bakıldığında, omurgada bir bölgede ağrı olması kişinin diğer bölgede de ağrı olma olasılığını gündeme getirip, omurga sağlığının korunmasında önlem alınması açısından önemlidir. 25 Bu çalışmada, servikal ağrısı olmayan lomber ağrılı genç erişkinlerin; lomber bölge manyetik rezonans görüntüleme (MRG) bulgularının değer-lendirilmesi, bu bulguların risk faktörleri ile ilişkisinin saptanması, ayrıca servikal bölge MRG bulguları ile karşılaştırarak ilişkilerinin değerlen-dirilmesi amaçlanmıştır.…”