Axial loading MRI of the lumbar spine.
BACKGROUND
The aim of our study was to evaluate the incoming interrelations between chronic low back pain and biomechanical changes of the lumbar spine, using an MRI-compatible axial-loading device mimicking the standing position.


METHODS
Fifty consecutive patients (28 males and 22 females), with both chronic low pack pain and recurrent painful blockages, were selected and studied using a 1.5 T Gyroscan Intera Philips MRI unit (Philips, Best, Holland) and a dedicated axial loading apparatus (MIKAI manufacturing, Genoa, Italy).


RESULTS
After loading, no significant modifications occurred in ten patients (20%), a spinal stenosis was seen in 18 patients (45%), an increase in the discal protrusions or hernias was detected in 8 patients (20%) and a significant accentuation of the spondylolisthesis was observed in 6 patients (15%).


CONCLUSIONS
Axial loading MRI provides valuable information for specific non-invasive or operative management of low back pain.
Department of Diagnostic Imaging and Interventional Radiology, University of Tor Vergata, V.le Oxford 81, 00133, Rome, Italy. guggi@tiscali.it
Guglielmo
G
Manenti
Giovanni
G
Liccardo
Gianluigi
G
Sergiacomi
Luigi
L
Ferrante
Giancarlo
G
D'Andrea
Daniel
D
Konda
Bernardo
B
Fraioli
Orazio
O
Schillaci
Giovanni
G
Simonetti
Salvatore
S
Masala
D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000175:diagnosis*; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009192:Myelography; D013130:Spinal Stenosis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D013168:Spondylolisthesis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D016474:Weight-Bearing