Abstract

Background: Several diagnostic modalities are being used for evaluation of low back pain (LBP) such as conventional radiography, computed tomography scan, bone scan, and ultrasonography. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can give different and improved information about structures in the body. Through MRI, an attempt was made to identify the structural abnormalities at the lumbosacral region. Objectives: The objective of this study is to evaluate the causes of LBP with MRI scan as imaging modality in the adult age group.
Materials and Methods: It was a hospital-based, cross- sectional study. This study was done from May 2014 to April 2015 in the Department of Radiodiagnosis at a tertiary institute of West Bengal. The study population included all the patients above 18 years of age presenting with LBP in the hospital during the study period. During the study period, 158 patients were found eligible.
Results: Majority (86.4%) of patients of LBP were aged below 60 years. Majority (88.3%) of the patients had lumbar spine degenerative disease, which was the most common pattern. Among lumbar degenerative findings, disc degeneration being the most frequent finding seen in 113 (83%) patients, followed by disc bulge 107 (78.6%), nerve root compression 103 (75.7%), disc herniation 59 (43.3%), and central canal stenosis 63 (46.3%). Odds ratio for disc degeneration was 2.6 (95% confidence interval: 1.2-5.5) times in age ≥40 years in comparison to age <40 years. There was no significant difference in the prevalence of various degenerative imaging findings between male and female. Conclusion: MRI is a useful and safe modality for the evaluation of pathologies of the lumbar spine in patients with LBP. Degenerative disc disease is the most common cause of LBP. Early diagnosis of degenerative changes in patients with LBP may enable physicians to plan preventive strategies.