Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Lumbosacral Spine to determine the cause of Sciatica

Abstract

Objective: To analyze the lumbosacral spine using MRI to determine the most common pathology responsible for sciatica.

Study Design: Descriptive cross sectional study

Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at the Department of Radiology, Military Hospital Rawalpindi from October 2005 to April 2006.

Materials and Methods: One hundred patients presenting with unilateral or bilateral sciatica were studied. MRI lumbo-sacral spine was the modality used to determine the anatomical factors responsible for sciatica. These factors included disc prolapse, osteophytes formation, and thickening of ligamentum flavum.

Results: It was seen that prolapsed disc was the most common cause of sciatica (found in 71% of the patients). Out of these cases, disc bulge was found in 50% of the patients, protrusion / herniation in 37%, and an extruded disc fragment in 7%. Osteophytes and hypertrophied facet joints were seen in 7% of the cases, while ligamenta flava were thickened in 22%. 38% of the patients were in the 4^th decade of life.

Conclusion: Disc bulge is the most common pathology of lumbosacral spine in patients presenting with sciatica.