TITLE:
Contribution of CT in the Exploration of Non-Traumatic Pathologies of the Lumbar Spine in Adults in Bangui
AUTHORS:
Bangue Songrou Francky Kouandongui, Timothée Mobima, Yannick Héritier Sombot, Borel Tambala, Stéphane Kouzou, Judith Guiaba Kette, Euloge Tapiade Bidan, Richard Bazogo
KEYWORDS:
CT Scanning, Lumbar, Bangui, Adults
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Radiology,
Vol.14 No.3,
September
3,
2024
ABSTRACT: Background: In Central African Republic, a study carried out in 2019 highlighted the limits of conventional radiography in the diagnosis of non-traumatic lower back pain in adults. Objective: The objective of this study is to show the value of CT scanning in the exploration of non-traumatic pathologies of the lumbar spine in adults. Patients and Method: Retrospective and descriptive cross-sectional study covering the files of patients aged at least 18 years old, sent for lumbar scanning from March 1 to December 31, 2021 at the medical imaging center. Results: In total, 593 scan examinations were performed including 159 (26.8%) examinations of the lumbar spine. The average age of the patients was 49.84 years. The majority were male (66%). 127 (79.8%) were referred mainly to the neurology and rheumatology departments. Common low back pain (n = 97, 61%) was the main reason for requesting a CT scan. The lumbar scan was performed without contrast product in 88.7% of cases. In total, 148 (93.1%) examinations were pathological and dominated by overall disc overhang (62.2%) and somatic and interapophyseal osteoarthritis (16.9%). The other lesions were spondylodiscitis (7.4%), tumor-like lesions (3.4%) and narrow lumbar canal (1.4%).