MRI for diagnosis of low back pain: Usability, association with symptoms and influence on treatment

Læknablađiđ
Gunnar SvanbergssonRagnheidur Harpa Arnardóttir

Abstract

Non-specific low-back pain is a worldwide problem. More specific diagnosis could improve prognosis. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) became available in Akureyri Hospital in 2004 but its utilisation in diagnosing low-back pain has not been investigated. To study the use of MRI in diagnosing low-back pain, correlation of the MRI outcomes with other clinical findings and its possible effects on treatment. Retrospective, descriptive analysis of patients' journals. Included were all adult (18 years and older) residents of Akureyri who underwent low-back MRI in Akureyri Hospital in 2009. During 2009, 159 patients (82 women) underwent low-back MRI, mean age 51 years (18-88). The most common pathological findings were connected to the lumbar disk. Disk herniation was diagnosed in 38% of the patients, 77% at the L4-L5 or L5-S1 level. MRI results correlated poorly with symptoms and clinical findings. Treatment options for disk herniation were prescription of medications (70%), referrals to physiotherapy (67%) and orthopaedic surgeons (61%). Nine patients were operated. Among patients referred to physiotherapy, 49% were first examined with MRI and thus waited longer for referral than those referred directly to physiotherapy (p=0.008). On...Continue Reading

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