Pattern of Magnetic Resonance Imaging Findings in Low Back Pain

Abstract

Introduction- Low back pain (LBP) is the one of the most prevalent complaints among the people. India has an increasing number of patients who present with LBP. The presentation, detection and characterization of lesions in LBP are sometimes clinically indistinguishable, necessitating evaluation by MRI. Aim- The purpose of this study was to undertake a critical review of the potential role of magnetic resonance imaging in evaluation of low back pain (LBP) and to describe various MRI findings. Methodology- The study was conducted at the Radiology and Imaging department of the Mamata medical college, khammam, india. It was a cross-sectional study whose subjects were adult patients with LBP referred for lumbar spine MRI. A total of 151 patients with LBP, with no contraindications to MRI underwent MRI from july 2015 to december 2015 were studied. Frequency tables were generated for categorical variables. Results-The most common site for degenerative findings was L4/L5 followed by L5/S1. Nerve root compression was the most common complication. Conclusion: This study established the use of MRI as the radiological investigation for detection of low back pain. It was concluded that LDD is common in the lower lumbar regions.