Comparative Study of Lumbar Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Myelography in Young Soldiers with Herniated Lumbar Disc. |
Suk Hyung Kang, Seung Hong Choi, Nak Jong Seong, Jung Min Ko, Eun Suk Cho, Kwang Pil Ko |
1Department of Neurological Surgery, Chung-Ang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. nscharisma@hanmail.net 2Department of Neurological Surgery, The Armed Forced Capital Hospital, Seoul, Korea. 3Department of Radiology, The Armed Forced Capital Hospital, Seoul, Korea. 4Division of Epidemiology and Health Index, Center for Genome Science, Korea National Institute of Health, Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Seoul, Korea. |
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ABSTRACT |
OBJECTIVE This study was undertaken to compare the diagnostic performances of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), MR myelography (MRM) and myelography in young soldiers with a herniated lumbar disc (HLD). METHODS Sixty-five male soldiers with HLD comprised the study cohort. A visual analogue scale for low back pain (VAS-LBP), VAS for leg radiating pain (VAS-LP), and Oswestry disability index (ODI) were applied. Lumbar MR, MRM, and myelographic findings were checked and evaluated by four independent radiologists, respectively. Each radiologist was asked to score (1 to 5) the degree of disc protrusion and nerve root compression using modified grading systems devised by the North American Spine Society and Pfirrmann and the physical examination rules for conscription in the Republic of Korea. Correlated coefficients between clinical and radiological factors were calculated. Interpretational reproducibility between MRI and myelography by four bases were calculated and compared. RESULTS Mean patient age was 20.5 +/- 1.1. Mean VAS-LBP and VAS-LP were 6.7 +/- 1.6 and 7.4 +/- 1.7, respectively. Mean ODI was 48.0 +/- 16.2%. Mean MRI, MRM, and myelography scores were 3.3 +/- 0.9, 3.5 +/- 1.0, and 3.9 +/- 1.1, respectively. All scores of diagnostic performances were significantly correlated (p < 0.05). However, none of these scores reflected the severity of patients' symptoms. There was no statistical difference of interpretational reproducibility between MRI and myelography. CONCLUSION Although MRI and myelography are based on different principles, they produce similar interpretational reproducibility in young soldiers with a HLD. However, these modalities do not reflect the severity of symptoms. |
Key Words:
Comparison study; Herniated Lumbar Disc; Interpretational reproducibility; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; MR Myelography; Myelography |
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