Evaluation Of Low Backache In Young Adults With MRI

Abstract

Background & Objectives Low back pain is a commonly reported musculoskeletal condition in day to day life. The direct and indirect effects of low back pain are enormous in terms of quality of life, productivity and employee absenteeism making a common complaint as a cause of musculoskeletal system (MSK) related disability. [1] Thus, in the absence of more objective diagnostic criteria, most epidemiological studies of low back pain have defined cases simply on the basis of reported symptoms. With this approach, various risk factors have been established, including physical activities that stress the spine. [2] Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has opened up new possibilities for refined diagnostic classification of low back pain in epidemiological research. Various abnormalities can be identified on spinal MRI, including disc herniation, nerve root impingement, disc degeneration and annular tear. However, before any of these abnormalities is used in case definition, evidence is needed that it can be measured repeatably and that it is importantly related to the pathogenesis of symptoms and not simply an incidental finding. [2] However the available literature has shown a widespread inconsistency over the physical, pathological and psychological aspects of low back pain. Hence this study was taken up to determine the sensitivity and probability of MRI in patients with low back pain, as the investigation would also evaluate spinal canal without contrast, multiplanar capabilities, non-invasiveness and high sensitivity with or without enhancement. XI AIMS & OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY: To study the prevalence and MR imaging findings in non-traumatic young adults (24- 40 years) with low back pain. SOURCE OF DATA: Patients visiting the department of radio-diagnosis of Shri B M Patil Medical College for MRI with chronic back pain. METHOD OF COLLECTION OF DATA: The study is based on number of patients, who are visiting Department of Radio Diagnosis for magnetic resonance imaging from the period of November 2013 to July 2015. Consent will be taken for each case. RESULT: Out of 85 patient studied 43 (50.6%) were males and 42 (49.6%) were females. The age range was from 24-40 years. Low backache with radicular pain was the commonest clinical presentation. In our study the frequency of MRI changes in the spine in the symptomatic patients appears to be higher when compared to other reports in the literature and these changes were more frequent in the 24 to 30 years age group. The commonest cause of low back ache was degenerative disc disease, most common level being L4-L5 INTERPRETATION: In this study we present our experience in the utilization of MRI as a diagnostic tool in the evaluation of low back pain in the young adults and its correlation with clinical scenarios