title: Association between radiculopathy and lumbar multifidus atrophy in magnetic resonance imaging.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Many studies have evaluated factors related to lumbar multifidus (MF) muscle atrophy. However, few studies have investigated radiculopathy and the MF muscle. In this study, the association between radiculopathy and lumbar MF muscle atrophy in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was evaluated.
  
  
  METHODS
  In total, 100 patients with low back pain or radiating leg pain were examined. Their lumbar MRIs were visually analyzed semi-quantitatively for signs of lumbar MF muscle atrophy. The severity and extent of MF atrophy were compared between non-radiculopathy (Non-rad) and radiculopathy (Rad) groups. Asymmetry of MF atrophy was also compared between unilateral radiculopathy (UniR) and bilateral radiculopathy (BiR) groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Significantly more severe and extensive MF atrophy was observed in the Rad group than in the Non-rad group (p< 0.01). However, no difference in the asymmetry of MF atrophy was found between the UniR and BiR groups (p> 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  More severe and extensive atrophy in the lumbar MF muscle was associated with radiculopathy. Thus, we might consider the presence of radiculopathy when severe and extensive multi-level involvement of MF atrophy is seen in MRI.
authors: Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea. ljikyh@catholic.ac.kr
authors: Ji Hye
authors: JH
authors: Min
authors: Hyun Sook
authors: HS
authors: Choi
authors: Won
authors: W
authors: Ihl Rhee
authors: Jong In
authors: JI
authors: Lee
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology; D008161:Lumbosacral Region; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009134:Muscular Atrophy, Spinal / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology; D011843:Radiculopathy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology; D056910:Republic of Korea / Q000453:epidemiology; D012585:Sciatica / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D017678:Sex Distribution