Semin Musculoskelet Radiol 2001; 05(2): 133-136
DOI: 10.1055/s-2001-15667
Low Back Pain

Copyright © 2001 by Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc., 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA. Tel.: +1(212) 584-4662

Proper Use of MR Imaging for Evaluation of Low Back Pain (Radiologist's View)

Kunihiko Fukuda, Gou Kawakami
  • Department of Radiology, The Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
31 December 2001 (online)

ABSTRACT

Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging has been recognized as a modality of choice in the evaluation of the spine. However, morphological abnormalities demonstrated by MR imaging do not always reflect low back pain (LBP). MR imaging should be interpreted with consideration of full clinical signs, symptoms, and other relevant background. At the same time, MR findings potentially relevant to LBP, such as morphological abnormalities of the disc, presence or absence of high intensity zone, abnormalities of the end plate and adjacent marrow signal, degree of nerve root compression, and degeneration of the facet joint, should be described without omission.

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