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Abstract

Introduction: Low back pain is a prevalent issue that marks two-third of population at particular periods of their lives and grades the topmost reasons for doctor’s consultation. LBP is well reported general health issue, in addition is an expanding financial issue influencing about 80% of the common population. MRI has been the modality of choice for examining human spine since 1980. As ionizing radiations are not produced during MRI and has superior spatial and contrast resolution as compared to other modalities; therefore, MRI is the ideal option for spine examination.
Objectives: The objective of current study is to evaluate the frequency of lumbar spinal diseases with LBP and its frequency among male and female and to find out which age group people were more susceptible to lumber LBP using MRI.
Materials and Methods: Cross sectional study was performed at Rehman medical institute Peshawar from June 2022 to November 2022, after consent from Rehman medical institute research ethical committee. Permission was taken from head of radiology department at RMI. This study was conducted by using 1.5T unit MRI at RMI using lumbar spine coils for the examination. This study include 162 patients, advised for Lumbar MRI scan were enrolled in our study. A proforma was prepared for data collection procedure, 15 questions were included regarding to our research study. The sequential non-probability sampling technique was used. Data analysis was carried out through SPSS – 2022.
Results: In our study 162 patients were comprised of 77 male and 85 female population. We find that the most frequent pathology was degenerative disc disease.Out of 139 (85.80 %) had degenerative disc disease, 12(7.40%) had old traumatic lesion, 9(5.55%) patients had infections and 2(1.23%) patients had lumber LBP without any cause. Furthermore, among degenerative disc disease the commonest pathology was disc bulge (82.27%) followed by osteophyte complex (41.00%), spinal canal stenosis (28.77%), osteopenia (12.23%), posterior annular tear (9.35%), and the least common pathology among degenerative disease was facet hypertrophy with the ratio of 7.19%. The most affected disc level by disc bulge was (L4/L5). While with osteophyte complex the most affected level was (L5/ S1).
Conclusion: From our research study we concluded that the most prevalent spinal pathology causing lower back pain was degenerative disc disease followed by old traumatic lesion and the least common cause was infection, using MRI as a diagnostic tool. Among degenerative disc disease, disc bulge was the most common pathology followed by osteophytes complex, spinal canal stenosis, osteopenia, post annular tear and facet hypertrophy. Females were more prone to lumber lower back pain as compared to males. People of age 30-45 were more affected from lumber LBP. The most common defected disc level with disc bulge was L4/L5 while with osteophytes complex the most common defected disc level was L5/S1.