Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The clinical importance of lumbar MR imaging findings is unclear. This study was an exploratory investigation of whether lumbar spine MR imaging findings change more commonly during a 12-week period in individuals with acute low back pain compared with pain-free controls. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty individuals with recent-onset low back pain and 10 pain-free controls were recruited into an exploratory prospective cohort study. All participants had a lumbar spine MR imaging at baseline and repeat MR imaging scans at 1, 2, 6, and 12 weeks. The proportion of individuals who had MR imaging findings that changed during the 12-week period was compared with the same proportion in the controls. RESULTS: In 85% of subjects, we identified a change in at least 1 MR imaging finding during the 12 weeks; however, the proportion was similar in the controls (80%). A change in disc herniation, annular fissure, and nerve root compromise was reported more than twice as commonly in the subjects as in controls (65% versus 30%, 25% versus 10%, and 15% versus 0%, respectively). Caution is required in interpreting these findings due to wide confidence intervals, including no statistical difference. For all other MR imaging findings, the proportions of subjects and controls in whom MR imaging findings were reported to change during 12 weeks were similar. CONCLUSIONS: Changes in MR imaging findings were observed in a similar proportion of the low back pain and control groups, except for herniations, annular fissures, and nerve root compromise, which were twice as common in subjects with low back pain.
| Originalsprog | Engelsk |
|---|---|
| Tidsskrift | American Journal of Neuroradiology |
| Vol/bind | 38 |
| Udgave nummer | 9 |
| Sider (fra-til) | 1826-1832 |
| ISSN | 0195-6108 |
| DOI | |
| Status | Udgivet - sep. 2017 |
Finansiering
Received February 24, 2017; accepted after revision May 9. From the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (J.P., M.J.H., J.S.M., J.H.) and Centre for Physical Health (J.S.M., J.H., M.J.H.), Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia; George Institute of Public Health (C.G.M.), University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales Australia; Department of Physiotherapy (M.C.-B.), University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada; Departments of Radiology, Neurological Surgery, and Health Services (J.G.J.), University of Washington, Seattle, Washington; Nordic Institute of Clinical Biomechanics (T.S.J.), Odense, Denmark; Spine Centre of Southern Denmark (T.S.J.), Middelfart, Denmark; and Institute for Regional Health Research (T.S.J.), University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark. This project is supported by funding from Arthritis NSW, Australia. Please address correspondence to Mark J. Hancock, PhD, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences and Centre for Physical Health, Ground floor, 75 Talavera Rd, Mac-quarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia; e-mail: [email protected] Disclosures: Julia Hush—UNRELATED: Employment: Macquarie University. Jeffrey G. Jarvik—UNRELATED: Consultancy: HealthHelp, Comments: a radiology benefits management company; Patents (Planned, Pending or Issued): PhysioSonics, Comments: a high-intensity focused ultrasound diagnostic company*; Stock/Stock Options: PhysioSonics; Travel/Accommodations/Meeting Expenses Unrelated to activities Listed: GE Radiology Research Academic Fellowship, Radiological Society of North America, Comments: member of the academic advisory board for GE Radiology Research Academic Fellowship, Faculty for the Radiological Society of North America, Clinical Trials Workshop. Tue Secher Jensen—UNRELATED: Grants/Grants Pending: Foundation for Chiropractic Research and Post Graduate Education, Comments: salary paid from grants from the Danish Foundation for Chiropractic Research and Post Graduate Education (Sag.nr.108-02/923).* Mark J. Hancock—RELATED: Grant: Arthritis NSW.* *Money paid to the institution.