[Degenerative disease of the lumbar spine. Clinical and magnetic resonance imaging correlation].
BACKGROUND
Low back pain often affects the economically active population with repercussions in world productivity. MRI defines the diagnosis easily with high specificity, allowing the most adequate treatment to be initiated. We undertook this study to confirm the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of MRI in the evaluation of degenerative lumbosacral disease with facet joint participation.


METHODS
In a 6-month period we studied 358 patients with low back pain and/or sciatica due to degenerative disorders. We performed a basic evaluation on the clinical characteristics of pain. Plain sequences (T1 and T2) were used on axial, sagittal and coronal planes with MR equipment (0.5 T), evaluating the degenerative modifications of the lumbosacral region.


RESULTS
Discal degeneration associated with multidirectional bulging of annulus and extrusion and protrusion of discal material affected mostly L4-L5 and L5-S1 levels. The same levels showed most degenerative changes on facet joints. The most relevant result in our study was articular facet joint disease present in all cases regardless of the association with intervertebral osteochondrosis, discal hernia and spinal stenosis.


CONCLUSIONS
Diagnostic value of MRI in the study of low back pain offers a reliable evaluation with high sensitivity and specificity, in order to make appropriate therapeutic decisions.
Boleaga-Durán
Bernardo
B
Neurorradiología de CT Scanner del Sur, Departamento de Anatomía, Facultad de Medicina, UNAM. bernardoboleaga@prodigy.net.mx
Fiesco-Gómez
Luis Eduardo
LE
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D011859:Radiography; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013128:Spinal Osteophytosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology