title: Correlation between Clinical Features and Magnetic Resonance Imaging Findings in Lumbar Disc Prolapse.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Magnetic resonance imaging is routinely done for diagnosis of lumbar disc prolapse. Many abnormalities of disc are observed even in asymptomatic patient.This study was conducted tocorrelate these abnormalities observed on Magnetic resonance imaging and clinical features of lumbar disc prolapse.
  
  
  METHODS
  A This prospective analytical study includes 57 cases of lumbar disc prolapse presenting to Department of Orthopedics, Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital from March 2011 to August 2012. All patientshad Magnetic resonance imaging of lumbar spine and the findings regarding type, level and position of lumbar disc prolapse, any neural canal or foraminal compromise was recorded. These imaging findings were then correlated with clinical signs and symptoms. Chi-square test was used to find out p-value for correlation between clinical features and Magnetic resonance imaging findings using SPSS 17.0.
  
  
  RESULTS
  This study included 57 patients, with mean age 36.8 years. Of them 41(71.9%) patients had radicular leg pain along specific dermatome. Magnetic resonance imaging showed 104 lumbar disc prolapselevel. Disc prolapse at L4-L5 and L5-S1 level constituted 85.5%.Magnetic resonance imaging findings of neural foramina compromise and nerve root compression were fairly correlated withclinical findings of radicular pain and neurological deficit.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Clinical features and Magnetic resonance imaging findings of lumbar discprolasehad faircorrelation, but all imaging abnormalities do not have a clinical significance.
authors.affiliation: Deapartment of Orthopaedics and Trauma Surgery, Institute of Medicine, Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, Kathmandu, Nepal.
authors.forename: S S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Thapa
authors.affiliation: Deapartment of Orthopaedics and Trauma Surgery, Institute of Medicine, Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, Kathmandu, Nepal.
authors.forename: R B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Lakhey
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Institute of Medicine, Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, Kathmandu, Nepal.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sharma
authors.affiliation: Deapartment of Orthopaedics and Trauma Surgery, Institute of Medicine, Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, Kathmandu, Nepal.
authors.forename: R K
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Pokhrel
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Correlation; lumbar disc prolapse; magnetic resonance imaging.