Can Conventional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Substitute Three-Dimensional Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the Diagnosis of Lumbar Foraminal Stenosis?
- Author:
Maruf Mohammad HASIB
1
;
Kentaro YAMADA
;
Masatoshi HOSHINO
;
Eiji YAMADA
;
Koji TAMAI
;
Shinji TAKAHASHI
;
Akinobu SUZUKI
;
Hiromitsu TOYODA
;
Hidetomi TERAI
;
Hiroaki NAKAMURA
Author Information
- Publication Type:Clinical Study
- From:Asian Spine Journal 2021;15(4):472-480
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Methods:We investigated 154 foramina at L5–S1 in 77 patients. All the patients had degenerative lumbar disorders and had undergone both conventional MRI and 3D-MRI during the same visit. Differences between the FSRs calculated from conventional and 3D-MRI reconstructions and any correlations with the plain radiography findings were assessed.
Results:In foramina that had a FSR of <50% on conventional MRI, the difference between the FSR obtained using conventional MRI and 3D-MRI was 5.1%, with a correlation coefficient of 0.777. For foramina with a FSR ≥50% on conventional MRI, the difference was 20.2%, with a correlation coefficient of 0.54. FSR obtained using 3D-MRI was significantly greater in patients who required surgery than in those who were successfully treated with conservative methods (88% and 42%, respectively). Segments with spondylolisthesis or lateral wedging showed higher FSRs than those without these conditions on both types of MRI.
Conclusions:FSRs <50% obtained using conventional MRI were sufficiently reliable; however, the results were inaccurate for FSRs ≥50%. Patients with high FSRs on 3D-MRI were more likely to require surgical treatment. Therefore, 3D-MRI is recommended in patients with suspected stenosis detected using conventional MRI or plain radiographs.
