Aa. Zamani et al., Functional MRI of the lumbar spine in erect position in a superconducting open-configuration MR system: Preliminary results, J MAGN R I, 8(6), 1998, pp. 1329-1333
The purpose of this study was to determine the feasibility of obtaining, an
d findings in, functional MRI of the lumbar spine in an erect position and
with flexion and extension. Thirty subjects (including 5 volunteers) were i
maged in a sitting position and while performing flexion and extension, The
alternations in posterior disk margin, size of neural foramina, and centra
l canal were evaluated. In addition, routine supine imaging was accomplishe
d in 15 of these subjects. The foraminal size and posterior disk margins di
d not change appreciably from supine to upright position, With extension, t
here was an increased disk bulge in 27% of disks (40% of those with desicca
tion). Central canal size (50%) and foraminal size (27%) decreased with ext
ension, especially at levels with disk desiccation. Images obtained with ou
r open-configuration MR unit were diagnostically adequate, although of infe
rior quality compared with those obtained with a conventional unit. Our pre
liminary results show the feasibility of obtain ing diagnostic images of th
e erect lumbar spine with flexion and extension. The results are in agreeme
nt with those obtained with cadaveric studies. The utility of this method i
n diagnostic imaging of patients with low back pain remains to be determine
d.