Quantitative Correlations of Trunk Muscles in Young and Middle-aged Men with Chronic Low Back Pain by Magnetic Resonance Imaging

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the correlation of the cross-sectional areas (CSA) of paraspinal (multifidus and erector spinae) and psoas muscles and chronic low back pain by MRI (magnetic resonance image) in young and middle-aged patients. METHOD: Medical records of eighty subjects (50 young-aged and 30 middle-aged men) with low back pain were retrospectively reviewed. Their MR images were scanned and analysed by means of pixel to find the lumbar paraspinal and psoas muscle CSA and evaluated the correlation of the types of disc and age. RESULTS: There were significant increases of body mass index (BMI) in middle-aged patients compared with young- aged, and no difference in the disc types. Paraspinal muscle atrophy was increased in young patients with HIVD (herniated intervertebral disc), but not in middle-aged patients although they had HIVD. CONCLUSION: The paraspinal and psoas muscle atrophy could be assessed by MRI of lumbar spine in young patient with chronic low back pain. It may helpful for further evaluation and planning the treatment of low back pain.

Radiological Assessment of Mild Spondylolisthesis in Young-Aged Persons

OBJECTIVE: To analyze morphologic differences between only spondylolysis group and mild spondylolisthesis one in young-aged persons and to find useful parameters for radiological assessment of mild spondylolisthesis. METHOD: Twenty patients with only lumbar spondylolysis, 18 patients with mild lumbar spondylolisthesis and 19 normal subjects were recruited in this study. Their radiological findings were examined. The films of subjects were evaluated with respect to variables describing wedging of the spondylolytic vertebra, relative thickness and lengths of the transverse processes. The evaluation was made with attention to possible signs which could mean vertebral slipping. The lumbar index reflects the degree of wedge deformity of the spondylolytic vertebra. RESULTS: Lumbar index was significantly lower in spondylolisthesis group than only spondylolysis group. There was no significant difference in relative thickness of L5 transverse process between two groups. The incidence of a midline lumbar or sacral defect in the spondylolisthesis group was higher than other groups. CONCLUSION: Our results support the usefulness of lumbar index as a supplement parameter for radiological assessment of mild spondylolisthesis.