Using Magnetic Resonance Myelography to Improve Interobserver Agreement in the Evaluation of Lumbar Spinal Canal Stenosis and Root Compression

Abstract

Study DesignCross-sectional retrospective study designed to assess interobserver agreement.PurposeTo investigate if interobserver agreement using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the evaluation of lumbar spinal canal stenosis and root compression can be improved upon combination with magnetic resonance myelography (MRM).Overview of LiteratureThe interpretation of lumbar spinal MRI, which is the imaging modality of choice, often has a significant influence on the diagnosis and treatment of low back pain. However, using MRI alone, substantial interobserver variability has been reported in the evaluation of lumbar spinal canal stenosis and nerve root compression.MethodsHardcopies of 30 lumbar spinal MRI (containing a total of 150 disk levels) as well as MRM films were separately reviewed by two radiologists and a neurosurgeon. At each intervertebral disk, the observers were asked to evaluate the thecal sac for the presence and degree of spinal stenoses (mild, moderate, or severe) and presence of root canal compression. Interobserver agreement was measured using weighted kappa statistics.ResultsRegarding lumbar spinal canal stenosis, interobserver agreement between the two radiologists was moderate (kappa, 0.4) for MRI and good (kappa, 0.6) for combination with MRM. However, the agreement between the radiologist and neurosurgeon remained fair for MRI alone or in combination with MRM (kappa, 0.38 and 033, respectively). In the evaluation of nerve root compression, interobserver agreement between the radiologists improved from moderate (kappa, 0.57) for MRI to good (kappa, 0.73) after combination with MRM; moderate agreement between the radiologist and neurosurgeon was noted for both MRI alone and after combination with MRM (kappa, 0.58 and 0.56, respectively).ConclusionsInterobserver agreement in the evaluation of lumbar spinal canal stenosis and root compression between the radiologists improved when MRM was combined with MRI, relative to MRI alone.

Prognosis Evaluation of MRI Combined with Magnetic Resonance Myelography on Lumbar Disc Herniation after Transforaminal Endoscopic Discectomy

“…Lumbar disc herniation (LDH), a common disease in clinic, is caused by a sedentary lifestyle and lumbar intervertebral disc degeneration with age, which predispose intervertebral disc annulus fibrosis to injury by compression, resulting in the protrusion of the nucleus pulpous into the spinal canal [1,2]. If the protruding nucleus pulpous compresses the dural sac or nerve roots, it will cause pain in the patients' back and legs, seriously affecting their quality of life [3].…”

Imaging in Low Back Pain

“…2. MRM can improve the inter-observer and intra-observer agreement in the assessment of lumbar spinal canal stenosis [13], helping more consistent diagnosis when surgical intervention is considered.…”