Dynamic examination of the lumbar spine by using vertical, open magnetic resonance imaging

Object. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship of differen t structures of the lower lumbar spine during interventional movement exami nation. Method's. Clinically healthy volunteers and patients suffering from degener ative disorders of the lumbar spine underwent vertical, open magnetic reson ance (MR) imaging (0.5 tesla). Three functional patterns of lumbar spine mo tion were identified in 50 healthy volunteers, (average age 25 years). The authors identified characteristic angles of the facet joints, as measured i n the frontal plane. In 50 patients with degenerative disorders of the lumb ar spine (41 with disc herniation, five with osteogenic spinal stenosis, an d four with degenerative spondylolisthesis) the range of rotation was incre ased in the relevant spinal segments. Signs of neural compression were incr eased under motion. Conclusions. Dynamic examination in which vertical, open MR imaging is used demonstrated that the extent of neural compression as well as the increasi ng range of rotation are important signs of segmental instability.