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. 2023 Feb 15;38(4):512-520.
doi: 10.46497/ArchRheumatol.2023.9806. eCollection 2023 Dec.

Correlation of clinical signs and magnetic resonance imaging findings in patients with lumbar spondylosis

Lale Altan  1 , Burcu Metin Ökmen  2 , Tiraje Tuncer  3 , Dilşad Sindel  4 , Hasan Fatih Çay  5 , Simin Hepgüler  6 , Selda Sarıkaya  7 , Figen Ayhan  8 , Ajda Bal  9 , Meral Bilgilisoy  10 , Erhan Çapkın  11 , Lale Cerrahoğlu  12 , Remzi Çevik  13 , Deniz Dülgeroğlu  9 , Berrin Durmaz  6 , Tuncay Duruöz  14 , Gülcan Gürer  15 , Savaş Gürsoy  16 , Sami Hizmetli  17 , Cahit Kaçar  3 , Ece Kaptanoğlu  18 , Hilal Ecesoy  19 , Meltem Melikoğlu  20 , Kemal Nas  21 , Hakan Nur  22 , Şüheda Özçakır  1 , Nilay Şahin  23 , Özlem Şahin  24 , Merih Sarıdoğan  25 , Ömer Faruk Şendur  26 , İlhan Sezer  3 , Gülnur Taşçı Bozbaş  27 , Canan Tıkız  12 , Hatice Uğurlu  28
Affiliations

Correlation of clinical signs and magnetic resonance imaging findings in patients with lumbar spondylosis

Lale Altan et al. Arch Rheumatol. .

Abstract

Objectives: The purpose of the study was to contribute further to this debated topic by investigating the correlation of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings with the clinical picture in lumbar spondylosis patients.

Patients and methods: This multicenter retrospective study (as part of the epidemiological project of the TLAR-OASG [Turkish League Against Rheumatism-Osteoarthritis Study Group]) included 514 patients (101 males, 413 females; mean age: 63.6±10.8 years; range, 40 to 85 years) who were diagnosed as lumbar spondylosis by clinical examination and direct X-ray between December 2016 and June 2018. Demographic characteristics of patients, Visual Analog Scale for pain, presence of radiating pain, Roland-Morris disability questionnaire, straight leg raise test, deep tendon reflexes, neurogenic intermittent claudication symptoms, any decrease of muscle strength, and abnormality of sensation were recorded. Lumbar MRI findings of the patients were recorded as positive or negative in terms of disc herniation, intervertebral disc degeneration, root compression, osteophytes, spinal stenosis. Statistical analysis was done to assess the correlation between the clinical symptoms, physical examination, and MRI findings.

Results: Correlation analysis of the MRI results and the clinical findings showed a significant correlation between straight leg raise test and root compression (p<0.001, r=0.328) and a significant correlation between neurogenic intermittent claudication and spinal stenosis (p<0.001, r=0.376). Roland-Morris disability questionnaire had a significant correlation with all MRI findings (p<0.05, r<0.200).

Conclusion: The results of this study corroborate the notion that diligent patient history and physical examination are more valuable than MRI findings, even though a higher incidence of abnormal MRI findings have been obtained in patients with disability and dermatomal radiating pain.

Keywords: Clinical manifestations; Roland-Morris disability questionnaire; magnetic resonance imaging; screening; spondylosis..

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest: The authors declared no conflicts of interest with respect to the authorship and/or publication of this article.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Study flowchart.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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