MRI Pattern of Lumbosacral Degeneration in Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, Nepal.

Introduction: The economical and social burden of degenerative disc disease remains unclear in Nepal due to lack of systematic data. However, considering the large volumes of spinal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) performed for low back pain and/or radiculopathy, this has become the prime problems in all spinal care facilities in Nepal. Spinal MRIs constitute approximately sixty percent of the MRI performed in the Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital (TUTH). This study is being conducted to review the pattern of degeneration of lumbosacral spine in patients referred for MRI at TUTH. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted at TUTH. Patients with low back pain and or radiculopathy undergoing MRI in the previous 5 months were included in the study. Patients with trauma and or conditions other than degenerative processes were excluded in the study. The findings were recorded and analyzed using SPSS. Results: A total of 301 patients were included in the study. Age ranged from 16 to 83 years, mean age being 42 years. Highest number of patients were in the 30-40 years age group (26.2%). Male to female ratio was 1.22. Disc bulge was the most common finding, seen in 77.7% followed by protrusion (58.5%), extrusion (3.9%) and sequestration (0.3%). Foraminal stenosis (68.4%) was the most common complication followed by central canal stenosis (51.8%) and nerve root compression (37.8%). Disc protrusion was the most significant (p<0.05) predictor of complications (nerve root compression, foraminal stenosis and central canal stenosis). Conclusion: The study shows that degenerative disc diseases remain the cause of morbidity in the most productive years of life (30-40 years of age). Large volumes of MRIs performed for this condition represent significant economic and healthcare burden in a developing country like Nepal as well. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]