J Korean Orthop Assoc.  2012 Apr;47(2):140-145. 10.4055/jkoa.2012.47.2.140.

Comparison of Ultrasonography and Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Measurement of Lumbar Spine Anatomic Structures

• Shim DM
• Kim TK
• Oh SK
• Lee SJ
• Yang HS

• KMID: 2185390
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4055/jkoa.2012.47.2.140

Abstract

PURPOSE
The aim of this study was to determine the usefulness of ultrasonography for lumbar anatomical structure measurement.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
From January 2011 to April 2011, 41 patients (22 males, 19 females) with back pain who visited the outpatient department and underwent lumbar magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were selected. In each level of L4 and L5, we measured the longest distance and horizontal distance between each inferior articular process based off a spinous process. We also measured the distance between the spinous process tip and the vertebral body posterior surface and the thickness and width of the multifidus muscle. All distances were measured with ultrasonography and MRI and the two measurement results were compared.
RESULTS
Using ultrasonography and MRI, we measured the distance between the spinous process tip and the posterior surface of the body. The distances were 39.16+/-8.71 mm/39.53+/-6.01 mm at L4 and 38.32+/-9.66 mm/37.74+/-10.54 mm at L5. The right multifidus muscle thickness measurements were 32.13+/-10.79 mm/33.84+/-9 mm at L4 and 31.32+/-10.04 mm/32.84+/-12.28 mm at L5. The measuring distance between the spinous process center to the posterior vertebral body surface and thickness of multifidus muscles by ultrasonography and MRI had significant correlations (p<0.05).
CONCLUSION
Limitations still exist in measuring the structure of lumbar anatomy with ultrasonography. However, measuring the distance between the spinous process center to the vertebral body posterior surface and multifidus muscle thickness was effective.

Keyword

lumbar spine; ultrasonography; MRI

MeSH Terms

Back Pain
Humans
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
Magnetics
Magnets
Male
Muscles
Outpatients
Spine

Figure

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  Figure 1 (A) Longest distance of inferior articular surface (oblique line) and horizontal distance of inferior articular surface (...) at axial transverse ultrasound image of L4-5 level. (B) Longest distance of inferior articular surface (oblique line) and horizontal distance of inferior articular surface (...) at axial transverse magnetic resonance imaging image of L4-5 level.

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