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- Title
Prevalence of Lumbar Disc Degeneration in Symptomatic Twenty to Thirty Year Olds - A Study of Over 850 MRI Scans.
- Authors
Ahmadje, Uzair; Berg, Andrew James; Jayanna, Harsha Haraluru; Saniville, Philip; Kapoor, Vik
- Abstract
Introduction: The prevalence of lumbar disc degeneration (LDD) in both the symptomatic and asymptomatic older population is well reported. There is however a paucity of data regarding the prevalence of disc degeneration in younger patients. We aimed to assess the prevalence of disc degeneration in a cohort of symptomatic patients aged between 20 and 30 years presenting to our institution. Material and Methods: All patients, between the ages of 20 and 30 years, who had undergone lumbrosacral Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), at the authors' institution, between April 2008 and May 2017, were identified from hospital records. Imaging had been performed for investigation of low back pain and/or radicular symptoms. The MRI scan images were reviewed to assess for evidence of lumbar disc degeneration on a high resolution monitor using the GE Medical Systems Centricity Enterprise Web V3.0 platform. Results: 1010 patients who had undergone lumbosacral MRI during the study period were identified. 884 scans were available electronically and reviewed. The average age of subjects was 25.3 years (range 20-30 years). There were 521 females and 362 males. 472 (53.4%) patients had MRI evidence of lumbar disc degeneration. 54% of these had disc degeneration at a single level and the remaining 46% at more than one level. The most commonly affected level was L5/S1 with 72% exhibiting disc degeneration at this level followed by 58% at L4/5, 19% at L3/4, 8% at L1/2 and 7% at L2/3. Conclusion: This study is, to our knowledge, the largest to describe the prevalence of disc degeneration in a symptomatic younger age group. 53.4% of MRI scans performed on symptomatic 20-30 year olds had evidence of lumbar disc degeneration. 46% of these had evidence of multi-level degeneration. This study therefore highlights that there is a high prevalence of lumbar disc degeneration in a symptomatic young population. While we accept that the association between disc degeneration and symptoms is poorly understood, this study should encourage further research and awareness from surgeons of the evolving technologies, which may offer treatment options for symptomatic patients.
- Publication
Global Spine Journal, 2018, Vol 8, p63S
- ISSN
2192-5682
- Publication type
Academic Journal
- DOI
10.1177/2192568218771030