Open AccessEffects of axial loaded magnetic resonance imaging of lumbar spine on dural sac and lateral recesses
Author(s) -
Deniz Bulja,
Jasna Strika,
Merim Jusufbegović,
Muris Bečirčić,
Adnan Šehić,
Fuad Julardžija,
Adnan Beganović,
Fuad Zukić,
Sandra Vegar-Zubović
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
journal of health sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.112
H-Index - 3
eISSN - 2232-7576
pISSN - 1986-8049
DOI - 10.17532/jhsci.2021.1589
Subject(s) - magnetic resonance imaging , lateral recess , lumbar , spinal canal , reduction (mathematics) , medicine , nuclear medicine , spinal cord , radiology , mathematics , geometry , psychiatry
Axial-loaded magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which can simulate an upright position of the patient may cause a significant reduction of the dural sac cross-sectional area (DCSA) compared with standard MRI, thus providing valuable information in the assessment of the lumbar spinal canal. The purpose of this study was to investigate excessiveness of the change in DCSA and depth of lateral recesses (DLRs) before and after axial-loaded imaging in relation to body mass index (BMI) of the subjects.Methods: Twenty patients were scanned to evaluate DCSA and DLR at three consecutive lumbar spine intervertebral disc levels (L3/4, L4/5, and L5/S1) on conventional-recumbent MRI, and after axial loading were applied.Results: Axial-loaded MRI demonstrates a significant difference of DSCA in comparison to conventional MRI. Furthermore, results show a significant correlation between the DCSA and BMI on level L3/L4, both before and after axial loading MRI. With axial loading, there is a reduction of DSCA of 12.2%, 12.1%, and 2.1% at the levels L3/L4, L4/L5, and L5/S1, respectively. After axial loading has been applied, the depth of the neural foramen has been reduced by an average of 10.1%.Conclusion: Axial-loaded MRI reduces DCSA and DLRs in comparison to standard MRI. Information obtained in this way may be useful to explain the patient’s symptomatology and may provide an additional insight that can influence the treatment decision plan accordingly.