TITLE:
Contribution of the T2 Turbo Spin Ultrasound Sequence to Low Field Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the Staging of Lumbar Disc Desiccation in Kinshasa Hospitals
AUTHORS:
Djo Mbo-M. Iyoto, Jean Tshibola Mukaya, Frederick Tshienda Tshibasu, Stephane Tongo Yanda, Patrick Kikunda, Lys Makwanza, Gorby Ndaie, Heritier Malengele Mawalala, Oscar Zimbuila Nseka, Aliocha Natuhoyila Nkodila, Antoine Aundu Molua, Michel Tshikwela Lelo
KEYWORDS:
Lumbar Disc Herniation, MRI, Disc Desiccation, Pfirrmann, Low Back Pain
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Access Library Journal,
Vol.11 No.10,
October
28,
2024
ABSTRACT: Background: Grading inter-vertebral disc degeneration (IDD) is important in the evaluation of many degenerative conditions, including patients with low back pain, but data on the pathology in sub-Saharan Africa are limited. The objective of this study is to evaluate the contribution of the T2 turbo spin ultrasound sequence on low-field Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) in the staging of lumbar disc desiccation in hospitals in Kinshasa. Methods: Single-center analytical cross-sectional study of lumbar MRI examinations of 81 patients or 405 disc segments, performed over a 16-month period from December 2022 to January 2023 at the Diamant Ngaliema medical center using a 0.4 Tesla MRI. Results: A total of 81 patients were examined by MRI for chronic low back pain. Lumbar disc herniation was common in men (50.6%), in an age range between 50 and 59 years (27.2%). Disc desiccation was ubiquitous in all age groups in more than 85% of cases, with a predominance at the lumbosacral junction (91.4%). Pfirrmann grade II was most commonly found in the 50 - 59 age group, followed by grade III in the 60 - 69 age group and for those over 70 years, grade IV. Conclusion: Lumbar disc degeneration is the hub of degenerative disc diseases that can affect all disc levels at any age, with a predominance in middle-aged and older adults. MRI remains the modality of choice providing precision in the study of lumbar disc degeneration.