Magnetic resonance imaging of the lumbosacral spine under compression.
OBJECTIVE
This study was undertaken to duplicate the more physiological imaging of lumbar disk herniation possible with the "sitting magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)" that exists at Harvard and Zurich.


METHODS
A compression frame was constructed of plywood that would fit into a standard MRI machine. A patient lying in the frame, on extending the bent knees, would experience a compressive force on his lumbar and thoracic spine, thus duplicating the higher intradiscal pressures found in the sitting position.


RESULTS
It was found that in 50% of patients so studied there was reproduction of their pain syndromes as well as augmentation of disk herniation by MRI.


CONCLUSIONS
The compression frame used during MRI of the spine results in a more physiological representation of herniated disks seen in the erect position.
Choy
D S
DS
Laser Spine Center, New York, N.Y., USA.
D006801:Humans; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000473:pathology; D008161:Lumbosacral Region / Q000473:pathology*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D011187:Posture; D012585:Sciatica / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology