[Correlation of degenerative intervertebral disk displacement using MRI with discography findings in patients with back pain].
BACKGROUND
MRI can be too sensitive for detecting degenerative changes and commonly displays pathology that is not necessarily responsible for the patient's symptoms.


METHODS
Retrospectively, we investigated MRI findings and results of discography in 23 patients with lower back pain. MRI investigations were performed with a 1.0 and 1.5 Tesla device using T1-weighted and T2-weighted sagittal plane imaging and T2-weighted transverse plane imaging.


RESULTS
Of the 35 degenerated discs, 16 were detected on MRI as having a high intensity zone (HIZ). Eleven of the 35 segments had previous lumbar disc surgery with a HIZ rate of 81.8%, whereas the HIZ rate for unoperated segments was only 29.2%.


CONCLUSIONS
HIZ is known to be a common lesion found using MRI in lower back pain patients. In operated segments, we found an incidence of 81.8% and in unoperated segments of 28.2%. Discography can discriminate between painful and non-painful discs. With the help of additional parameters such as contrast mean volume and pain characteristics during puncture, the number of false positive discograms can be reduced.
Böhm
B
B
Orthopädische Klinik, Johannes-Gutenberg-Universität Mainz. bertramboehm@web.de
Meinig
H
H
Eckardt
A
A
Schadmand-Fischer
S
S
Heine
J
J
D003287:Contrast Media; D006801:Humans; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology*; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D011859:Radiography; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013223:Statistics as Topic
D003287:Contrast Media