Characterization of Lumbar Spine Degenerative Diseases Using CT scan

Abstract

Degenerative disease of the lumbar spine refers to a syndrome in which an involves bony structures, intervertebral disk, spinal canal and ligament.The syndromes encompasses the following degenerative changes: osteophyte formation, facet joints arthropathy , intervertevral disc narrowing ,disk degeneration, endplate changes (modic change) , nerve root compression, vacuum phenomenon and spondylolisthesis. The purposes of the study to evaluate radiographic features of lumbar spine degeneration changes and to determine whether these observed findings influenced by age ,gender through the vertebral level, evaluate on computed tomography (CT) and compare CT findings with MRI findings. This descriptive cross-sectional study involved 168 patients in both genders (86 males and 82 females), from Ribat Teaching Hospital ,Alfiasal Hospital, Khartuom Modern Diagnostic Center , from June 2012 to June 2015. Lumbar CT scans were performed through mild portion of T12- to mild portion S1. Six degenerative findings were detected at: osteophyte formation narrowing ,scrolotic , facet joints arthropathy , intervertevral disc endplate , vacuum phenomenon and spondylolisthesis. Statistical analysis was performed using computer program Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version; 13. Chi- square test was, used to compare between age, gender and CT findings. A p-value of <0.05 was considered to indicate statistically significant difference. The mean age of participants was 52±11.5 years. 81% of participants had at least one degenerative finding. Osteophyte formation being the most frequent finding seen in 136 (81%) patients, followed by disc narrowing 111(66.1%), facet Joint OA 109 (64.9%), endplate scrolotic 50(29.8%