Adult Lumbar Scoliosis: Underreported on Lumbar MR Scans

• DOI: 10.3174/ajnr.a1962
• Publication Date: 2010-01-07T02:54:03Z
• Authors: Z. Anwar; E. Zan; S.K. Gujar; D.M. Sciubba; L.H. Riley; Z.L. Gokaslan; D.M. Yousem
• Keywords: Adult; Male; Lumbar Vertebrae; Maryland; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Risk Assessment; 3. Good health; Young Adult; 03 medical and health sciences; 0302 clinical medicine; Scoliosis; Risk Factors; Prevalence; Humans; Female; False Negative Reactions

<h3>BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE:</h3> Adult lumbar scoliosis is an increasingly recognized entity that may contribute to back pain. We investigated the epidemiology of and rate at which it unreported on MR images. <h3>MATERIALS METHODS:</h3> The coronal sagittal sequences spine imaging scans 1299 adult patients, seeking care for low pain, were reviewed assess measure degree spondylolisthesis. Findings compared with previously transcribed reports by subspecialty trained neuroradiologists. Inter- intraobserver reliability was calculated. <h3>RESULTS:</h3> prevalence 19.9%, higher rates in ages &gt;60 years (38.9%, <i>P</i> &lt; .001) females (22.6%, = .002). Of scoliotic cases, 66.9% went unreported, particularly when angle &lt;20° (73.9%, .001); 10.5% moderate severe cases not reported. Spondylolisthesis present 15.3% (199/1299) demonstrating increased patients (32.4%, .001), reported 99.5% cases. <h3>CONCLUSIONS:</h3> a prevalent condition among older individuals but underreported This can possibly result delayed 1) identification potential cause 2) referral specialized professionals targeted evaluation management, 3) provision health care. “scout images” should be as part complete if dedicated are already protocol.