Discogenic pain is quite common. A finding on MRI that has been hotly debated is a hyperintensity zone, often seen within the posterior annulus of the intervertebral discs.
In a recent study published in PLOS One 1 researchers conducted the first large scale study to identify subclassifications of high intensity zones (HIZ). They looked at a cross sectional study of 814 participants both using T1 and T2 weighted imaging and created a morphological and topographical classification system. Findings included HIZs on the posterior annulus and anterior annulus.
They believe the results could help in the standardization of MRI findings in clinical and research settings.
MRI has been thought to be not very helpful in the early management of back pain. However, more research (like this) to extract MRI findings should help localize pain generators and direct patient care and treatments. Even if imaging is thought to be less than optimal in the early management of back pain 2 it is still important to look carefully at MRI and correlate a patient’s symptoms to help direct patient care. Otherwise, it is a bit of guessing game which structures are inflamed.
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This is the best model lumbar spine I have seen. I am proud to possess one. It will be of great value when explaining to my patients as well as in my research using Upright MRI
Francis W. Smith MD Clinical Professor of Radiology Positional MRI Centre Woodend Hospital Aberdeen, Scotland
- Masatoshi Teraguchi et al. Classification of High Intensity Zones of the Lumbar Spine and Their Association with Other Spinal MRI Phenotypes: TheWakayama Spine Study PLOS ONE | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0160111 September 20, 2016 ↩
- Barbara S. Webster, BSPT, PA-C,* Ann Z. Bauer, MPH,† YoonSun Choi, MA,* Manuel Cifuentes, MD, MPH, ScD,*† andGlenn S. Pransky, MD, MOccH* Iatrogenic Consequences of Early Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Acute, Work-Related, Disabling Low Back Pain, Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2013 Oct 15; 38(22): 1939–1946 ↩