[Correlation of degenerative intervertebral disk displacement using MRI with discography findings in patients with back pain]

Abstract

Background: MRI can be too sensitive for detecting degenerative changes and commonly displays pathology that is not necessarily responsible for the patient's symptoms.

Methods: Retrospectively, we investigated MRI findings and results of discography in 23 patients with lower back pain. MRI investigations were performed with a 1.0 and 1.5 Tesla device using T1-weighted and T2-weighted sagittal plane imaging and T2-weighted transverse plane imaging.

Results: Of the 35 degenerated discs, 16 were detected on MRI as having a high intensity zone (HIZ). Eleven of the 35 segments had previous lumbar disc surgery with a HIZ rate of 81.8%, whereas the HIZ rate for unoperated segments was only 29.2%.

Conclusions: HIZ is known to be a common lesion found using MRI in lower back pain patients. In operated segments, we found an incidence of 81.8% and in unoperated segments of 28.2%. Discography can discriminate between painful and non-painful discs. With the help of additional parameters such as contrast mean volume and pain characteristics during puncture, the number of false positive discograms can be reduced.