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Disc bulging most prevalent abnormal finding on MRI in asymptomatic patients
Through the review of cervical spine MRI data, researchers found a high frequency and multiple levels of degenerative change in the spinal cord and discs of patients who appeared otherwise asymptomatic.
A total of 1,230 healthy volunteers were examined and administered cervical spine MRI between February 2006 and February 2008, with the data from 1,211 of the patients included in the final study. Approximately 50% of the population held passive occupations, such as teaching or service provision, and 28% had physical occupations, such as construction work.
The researchers reviewed the volunteers’ MRIs for anteroposterior spinal cord diameter, disc bulging diameter and axial cross-sectional area of the spinal cord, using the data to determine the spectrum and degree of disc bulging, spinal cord compression and increased signal intensity changes in the spinal cord.
Results showed a total of 87.6% of the volunteers had some form of disc bulging, with frequency increasing with increasing age. The same was found for the number of bulging discs, severity and number of levels affected in each patient, according to the researchers.
Spinal cord compression was only found in 5.3% of volunteers in the study, but the rates did increase after volunteers reached the age of 50, the researchers reported. – by Robert Linnehan
Disclosure: The researchers report institutional funds and grant research funds, which are intended for promoting hospital functions, of the Japan Labor Health and Welfare Organization (Kawasaki, Japan) were received in support of this study.