MAGNETIC-RESONANCE-IMAGING AND ULTRASONOGRAPHY OF THE LUMBAR MULTIFIDUS MUSCLE - COMPARISON OF 2 DIFFERENT MODALITIES

Study Design. An operator-blinded dual modality trial of measurement o f lumbar multifidus muscle cross-sectional area was performed. Objecti ve. To compare two imaging modalities used for measurement of the lumb ar multifidus muscle. Methods. Ten normal female subjects aged 21-31 y ears were imaged on two separate days using magnetic resonance imaging and ultrasound imaging. Bilateral measurements were made at each vert ebral level from L2-S1. Results. No significant difference was demonst rated between cross-sectional area measurements made with the two diff erent modalities. Measurements of multifidus were symmetrical between left and right sides of the spine. For both modalities, a significant difference was demonstrated in the cross-sectional area of multifidus between each vertebral level from L2-S1. Conclusions. The present stud y indicated that if a strict protocol for ultrasound imaging is adhere d to, real-time ultrasound imaging can be used to document muscle size in young adults. Further studies are required to validate the techniq ue in older subjects and in different conditions.