Role of Imaging in Evaluation of Low Back Pain

Abstract

Introduction: At present, it can be considered that one of the common global problems is Low back pain (LBP) because it is a very frequently occurring phenomenon in Bangladesh and all over the world. Most of the people are affected by LBP at some point in their life. Many researchers are working on the Prevalence of low back pain and associated risk factors among various professionals. The cause of LBP should be evaluated by any means necessary. Among many causes of LBP, it is important to differentiate it for a patient. Once it is differentiated, the patient can be managed appropriately by physicians.

Objective:

 The aim of the study is to assess the role of imaging in the diagnosis of the cause of low back pain (LBP).

Methods:

In this cross-sectional study, the patients coming to diagnosing their LBP, between the age group 10 years to 99 years were included. This study was conducted in two private hospitals in Dhaka city of Bangladesh for a period of four (04) months. The sample size was determined purposively and it was 101 cases of evaluation of low back pain in the lumbar spine, which were detected by X-ray, CT-Scan and Non-contrast & contrast MRI. The patients having ferromagnetic metallic implants and uncooperative cases were excluded from the study. All radiographic images of the study participants were collected and reviewed by radiologists, and a consensus diagnosis was given by two radiologists in controversial cases. All lumbar levels and in some cases to look for multi-vertebral involvement, whole spine screening were done. After collection, data was checked, verified, and processed to reduce error. Then it was analyzed by computer.

Results:

Radiology and Imaging have been proved to be essential to differentiate the cause of LBP. The study showed that non-working females (housewife) are mostly suffering from LBP in the range of age 40-49 years. Among various causes of LBP, the most common cause of LBP was degenerative disc. Among all imaging modalities, MRI is an important tool in diagnosing the pathology causing LBP as well as helping the physicians for further management of the patient.

Implications for practice:

The implications for this study was to find out the optimum diagnostic imaging procedure for diagnosing Low back Pain (LBP) which will be an accurate, non-invasive and cost-effective imaging procedure.