Enhancement on enlarge image for identification lumbar radiculopathy at magnetic resonance imaging

Abstract

Spinal nerve root pinched by herniated intervertebral disc will yield to painful complaints. Such condition in medical term is called as radiculopathy. The lesion usually occurs in the lower part of vertebral column, i.e. lumbar radiculopathy. To verify the diagnosis, the patient should undergo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examination. Further image processing is needed to aid the interpretation of these MRI images. The data in this study consisted of 40 MRI images, obtained by using General Electric Brivo MR 355 in T2-weighted sagittal relaxation phase, which are to be processed later by enlarged and enhancement processing. The image processing produced larger and clearer images, making it easier to observe lumbar radiculopathy. This method serves as a new breakthrough for the health providers in the management of lumbar radiculopathy patients.