RESUMEN
Objective To investigate the diagnostic value of low-field MR imaging in lumbar disc degeneration with end-plate osteochondritis. Methods Imaging data of 504 patients with lumbar disc degeneration diagnosed by MRI were retrospectively analyzed. Among these cases, the total of 330 end-plate osteochondritis in 148 patients was found. According to MR signal findings of end-plate and it's adjacent vertebra, the lesions were classified as 4 types. Results 330 end-plates were involved in 148 patients,including type I in 68(20.6%),type II in 53(16.1%),type III in 174(52.7%) and type IV in 35(10.6%).Among all 148 patients,the end-plates at one lumbar disc,two disci and over three disci involved in 98(66.2%),42(28.4%) and 8(5.4%),respectively.The lesions were usually found in the lower lumbar vertebra.Conclusion MR imaging could accurately show the end-plate osteochondritis and degenerative lumbar disc.