THE VALUE OF LUMBAR SPINE MRI IN THE ASSESSMENT OF THE PARS INTERARTICULARIS

The aim of this study is to assess the ability of conventional lumbar spine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to demonstrate the pars interar ticularis. The right and left L4 and L5 pars in 50 patients undergoing lumbar spine MRI for low back pain, with or without radiculopathy, we re assessed and classified into four types, Based on their appearance, 59 (29.5%) were classified as normal (Type 1), 59 (29.5%) as hypointe nse (Type 2), 53 (26.5%) could not be demonstrated (Type 3) and 29 (14 .5%) were thought to have defects (Type 4), The gold standard was set by the consensus opinion of two consultant musculoskeletal radiologist s on the available plain radiographs of the lumbar spine, MRI was foun d to have a sensitivity of 57% to 86%, specificity of 81% to 82%, posi tive predictive value of 14% to 18% and negative predictive value of 9 7% to 99% for the diagnosis of a pars defect.