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MRI of the lumbar intervertebral disc

S Morgan1, A Saifuddin

  • 1The Department of Radiology, The Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital Trust, Stanmore, Middlesex, UK.

Clinical Radiology
|December 2, 1999
PubMed

Insights

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) reveals diverse abnormalities in the lumbar spine and intervertebral discs. This review illustrates common pathological changes like degeneration, infection, and trauma, aiding clinical diagnosis.

Area of Science:

  • Radiology
  • Orthopedics
  • Medical Imaging

Background:

  • The lumbar spine is frequently imaged using MRI.
  • Lumbar intervertebral discs are susceptible to various pathologies, including degeneration, infection, and trauma.
  • These conditions manifest as distinct signal intensity and morphological changes on MRI.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide a pictorial review of lumbar intervertebral disc abnormalities visualized by MRI.
  • To illustrate common pathological processes affecting the lumbar disc.
  • To discuss the clinical relevance of these MRI findings.

Main Methods:

  • Review of MRI images depicting lumbar intervertebral disc pathologies.
  • Categorization of abnormalities based on signal intensity and morphology.
  • Correlation of imaging findings with clinical relevance.

Main Results:

  • Demonstration of characteristic MRI appearances for disc degeneration (e.g., T2 hypointensity, disc height loss).
  • Illustration of infectious discitis and endplate changes.
  • Depiction of traumatic disc injuries and associated findings.

Conclusions:

  • MRI is a crucial tool for diagnosing lumbar intervertebral disc pathologies.
  • Recognizing specific MRI patterns aids in differentiating between degeneration, infection, and trauma.
  • Accurate interpretation of lumbar MRI findings is essential for appropriate patient management.

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