Correlation of Lumbar Intervertebral Disc Degeneration, Abdominal Aortic Calcification on Plain X-ray and Pineal Gland Calcification at CT in Patients with Low Back Pain

ABSTRACT

Background: The lumbar spine, or low back, is a remarkably well-engineered structure of interconnecting bones, joints, nerves, ligaments, and muscles all working together to provide support, strength, and flexibility. However, this complex structure also leades the low back susceptible to injury and pain. To find out the correlations among plain radiographic findings of lumbar intervertebral disc degeneration, abdominal aortic calcification & CT findings of pineal gland calcification in low back pain subjects. Material & Methods:This observational analytical study was carried out in the Department of Radiology and imaging of the Bangladesh Institute of Research and Rehabilitation in Diabetes, Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders (BIRDEM) from 1 January 2011 to 31 December 2012. A total of 100 subjects attending the department of Radiology and imaging, BIRDEM for X-ray of the Lumbosacral spine and CT scan of the brain with low back pain were enrolled first for the study. A complete history was taken either from the patient or accompanying attendants. Relevant investigations reports were collected. All the information was recorded in the data collection sheet. Collected data were classified, edited, coded and entered into the computer for statistical analysis by using SPSS-23.Results:The mean age of study subjects was 61.26 years with a standard deviation of the mean (SD) of 13.34 years and their age ranged from 41 to 74 years. It was observed that nearly two-thirds (61.7%) of the subjects were male and 38.3% were female and the male-female ratio was 1.61. It was seen that majority of the subjects had a density of the Pineal gland ranging from +51 to +150 HU. Only 4 subjects had a density of Pineal gland ranging from +351 to +1000 HU. Meant SD density of the Pineal gland among a total of 30 subjects was 136.98164.11 HU. In Group X, the density of Pineal Gland was 83,57 14.45 HU. The density of the Pineal gland was 134.65±13.23HU and 151.66+21.32 HU in Group Y and Group Z respectively. Some parameters of the degenerative disc disease and aortic wall calcification. had a significant positive association with calcification. with the density of Pineal gland calcification.Conclusions:The study was undertaken to find out the Correlation between lumbar intervertebral disc degeneration, abdominal aortic calcification on plain X-ray and Pineal gland calcification at CT in low back pain subjects. The data obtained showed that the density of pineal gland calcification is statistically significant with increasing age. There was also a positive association between intradiscal calcification and density of pineal gland calcification, but no significant association among other parameters with the density of pineal gland calcification