Lumbar spine MRI axial loading in patients with degenerative spine pathologies: Its impact on the Radiological findings and treatment decision

PurposeThe aim of the study was to assess the Radiological changes occurring after axial loading of the lumbar spine during MRI in patients whose conventional MRI did not explain their clinical symptoms and to evaluate the impact of these changes on the treatment decision.Materials and methods20 patients (11 males and 9 females) with neurological symptoms are included in this study. Their symptoms included low back pain, sciatica and neurogenic claudication. Conventional MRI findings alone were not sufficient to explain their clinical complaint.ResultsAxial loaded MRI of the lumbar spine revealed changes in the vertebral alignment in 45% of patients, prominence of the already existing disk lesion in 60% of patients, newly seen disk protrusion in 10% of patients and prominent ligamentum flavum in 80% with subsequent spinal canal stenosis and thecal sac indentation.ConclusionPatients with clinical symptoms not explained by conventional MRI can benefit from Axial loading MRI which can add more information and also can change the treatment decision plan.