The correlation between exaggerated fluid in lumbar facet joints and degenerative spondylolisthesis: prospective study of 52 patients

Background Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is often used to evaluate low back pain; however, MRI in the supine position does not always reveal degenerative spondylolisthesis. The existence of a linear correlation between increased fluid in the facet joints seen on the supine axial T2 MRI of the lum...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of orthopaedics and traumatology 2011-06, Vol.12 (2), p.87-91
Main Authors: Caterini, R., Mancini, F., Bisicchia, S., Maglione, P., Farsetti, P.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Aged
Conservative Orthopedics
Female
Humans
Intervertebral Disc Degeneration - diagnostic imaging
Intervertebral Disc Degeneration - pathology
Joint Instability - diagnostic imaging
Joint Instability - pathology
Low Back Pain - diagnostic imaging
Low Back Pain - pathology
Lumbar Vertebrae - diagnostic imaging
Lumbar Vertebrae - pathology
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Male
Medicine
Medicine & Public Health
Middle Aged
Original
Original Article
Orthopedics
Predictive Value of Tests
Prospective Studies
Radiography
Rheumatology
Spondylolisthesis - diagnostic imaging
Spondylolisthesis - pathology
Sports Medicine
Surgical Orthopedics
Synovial Fluid - diagnostic imaging
Traumatic Surgery
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Summary:Background Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is often used to evaluate low back pain; however, MRI in the supine position does not always reveal degenerative spondylolisthesis. The existence of a linear correlation between increased fluid in the facet joints seen on the supine axial T2 MRI of the lumbosacral spine and lumbar instability seen on standing lateral flexion–extension lumbosacral radiographs has recently been reported. The objective of this prospective study was to determine the incidence of increased fluid in the lumbar facet joints seen on the supine axial T2 MRI, and to evaluate the correlation of this finding with radiographic evidence of lumbar instability. Materials and methods We prospectively analyzed weight-bearing flexion–extension lumbosacral radiographs and lumbosacral MRI in the supine position for 52 patients (mean age 64.7 years) seen at our institution for low back pain and/or radiculopathy. The statistical analysis was performed with Fisher’s exact test. A difference was considered statistically significant if P  
ISSN:1590-9921
1590-9999
DOI:10.1007/s10195-011-0141-3