Low backache is one of the most common reasons for outpatient visits and results from variety of causes. Persistent backache not responding to conservative therapy requires immediate evaluation and MRI has evolved as the modality of choice to know the cause and plan the management. The objective is to categorize the spinal causes of low backache using MRI. This study was done among 100 patients referred from various departments for MRI spine after taking proper consent in age group of 18-80 years over a period of one year. Out of 100 patients, majority belonged to 45-54 years age group with male: female ratio of 1.2:1. L4-L5 disc was affected most in this study. Degenerative disease-seen in 89% of total cases, disc bulge (89%), disc dessication (73%), disc herniation (28%), annular tear (27%). end plate changes (46%), marginal osteophytes (64%), Schmorl’s nodes (29%), acute compression fracture (2%), pars interarticularis fracture (15%) ligament flavum hypertrophy (52%), facet joint arthropathy (7%), lumbar canal stenosis (21%), and nerve root compression (76%). Congenital causes- seen in 24% of total cases in the form of lumbosacral transition anomalies, spina bifida, scoliosis, perineural cysts, limbus vertebra and fusion anomalies. Infective spondylodiscitis- seen in 14% of total cases, commonly involving 25-34 year age group and D11-12 level. Spinal neoplasms- seen in 8% of total cases, commonly involved 45-54 year age group. Metastasis more common than primary spinal neoplasms. It can be concluded from this study that MRI is an accurate radiation free modality for evaluation of low back pain.
Key words: Low backache, Lumbosacral spine, Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), Radiculopathy
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