Authors : Dr. Abhishek Kulkarni; Dr. Chandrashekhar Gaike; Dr. Abhishek Chaturvedi; Dr. Amar Kamat

Volume/Issue : Volume 5 - 2020, Issue 12 - December

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Abstract : MRI scan are being widely used in detecting spine pathologies for determining treatment protocols. Aims and Objectives: To calculate the prevalence of abnormal MRI findings in lumbar spine of patients who never had history of any low back pain or radiculopathy. Materials And Methods: MRI of the lumbar spine was done on patients that came to OPD without any prior history of low back ache or sciatic pain. These patients were screened with a standardized questionnaire. MRI scans were done for detecting the underlying cause of neck pain in these patients and along with these scans special cuts were also taken in the lumbar spine to detect any abnormalities in the lumbar spine. These scans were analysed independently by radiologists and spine surgeons who had no prior knowledge about the presence or absence of clinical symptoms. Results: Among 500 subjects examined an abnormal MRI scan was seen in 148 patients. A herniated nucleus pulposus was seen in 118 patients. Disc protrusion was seen in 44 patients and disc extrusion in 4 patients. Lumbar canal stenosis was seen in 98 patients. Spondylolisthesis was detected in 80 patients all of which were of mild variety. Facet joint arthropathy was seen in 44 patients and joint effusion was seen in 5 patients.15 patients had lumbarization of S1 vertebra and 24 patients had sacralization of the L5 vertebra. Conclusion: A high number of patients who had no positive history of lumbar spine pain or radiating pain had abnormalities detected on their MRI scans. In the current study, about 30 per cent of asymptomatic population had significant abnormalities noted on their MRI scans. Hence a step towards an operative procedure should not be taken purely on the basis of imaging studies without knowledge of clinical symptoms of patient.