PROSPECTIVE STUDY OF CORREALTION OF MRI FINDINGS AND CLINCAL SYMPTOMS IN LUMBAR SPINE DEGENERATIVE DISEASE

Introduction: Degenerative disease of the lumbar spine is a broad terminology which includes disc degeneration, Modic changes, disc displacement, facet joint arthropathy and associated complications. The modality of choice for imaging degenerative disease of lumbar spine is Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) due to excellent soft tissue spatial resolution and better tissue segregation.The aim of this study was to establish correlation of MRI Findings and Clinical symptoms in lumbar spine degenerative disease. Material and Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study involved 100 patients; lumbar MRI scans were performed through L1 to S1 Intervertebral disc spaces. Clinical presenting symptoms of the patients were noted , followed by MRI in which mainly six degenerative findings were looked at which were disc degeneration, Modic changes, disc bulge, disc herniation, central canal stenosis and nerve root compression. Results: Most frequent degenerative finding on MRI, in markedly symptomatic patients was disc degeneration seen in 100% of patients, followed by diffuse disc bulge (92.5%) and nerve root compression (82.5%). The least common finding was Facet Joint Hypertrophy seen in 22.9% of patients. In Degenerative imaging findings there was no significant sex difference. Degenerative findings were more common at lower lumbar levels (L4/L5&L5/S1). Disc degeneration, disc herniations, central canal stenosis and nerve root compression were common in patients with radiculopathy than in patients with low back pain only. In Minimally symptomatic patients disc herniation was not seen in any patient. Conclusion:. The most frequent degenerative finding in markedly symptomatic patients was disc degeneration followed by diffuse disc bulge and nerve root compression. Posterolateral was the most common location for disc herniation. Disc herniation, disc degeneration, canal stenosis and nerve root compression were significantly seen in patients with radiculopathy. There were no sequestered discs found in the studied patients. All degenerative findings excluding disc herniation were also seen in lesser prevalence in minimally symptomatic patients. Keywords: Degenerative Disease, Lumbar Spine, MRI, Disc Degeneration, Disc Herniation, Modic Changes, Clinical Symptoms, Back pain