title: Magnetic resonance study of disc degeneration in young low-back pain patients.
abstract: The correlation of roentgenographic findings, clinical history, and incipient disc degeneration (DD), diagnosed with magnetic resonance imaging, was analyzed in young patients with low-back pain (LBP). One or more lumbar discs were abnormal in 57% of the 20-year-old LBP patients (n = 75) and in 35% of the asymptomatic controls (n = 34) in MRI. Narrowed disc spaces and alterations attributed to lumbar Scheuermann's disease, shown on the radiographs, were always associated with DD in MRI. Such a strong relationship was not observed with transitional vertebrae, spondylolisthesis, spina bifida, or postural abnormalities. However, an increased weight, a positive straight leg raising test, and a reduced lumbar mobility was consistent with an increase in frequency of DD. Magnetic resonance imaging is a safe and sensitive method for studying the presence and etiologic factors of DD.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Central Hospital of Mikkeli, Finland.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Paajanen
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Erkintalo
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kuusela
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dahlstrom
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kormano
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001416:Back Pain / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000473:pathology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D012544:Scheuermann Disease / Q000175:diagnosis