Lumbar region is the mobile part of the vertebral column which is a weight bearing region. Unfortunately, the
available data detecting the lumbar spine degenerative changes by MRI are still limited, particularly in Egypt. The present
study aimed to the examination of possible age related changes in the lumbar spine in Egyptian people detected by MRI. Mid
sagittal MRI scan were obtained from eighty symptomless persons (30 females 37.5 % and 50 males 62.5% of cases) between
25- 70 years of age. They were divided into two groups ; first group forty cases, 25-40 years (21 males & 19 females) and the
second group forty cases , 41-70 years (29 males & 11 females). From all samples, there were 38 normal (47.5%) and the
abnormal cases were 42 (52.5 %). It was found collectively that the abnormalities were more in males than females and that
was supplemented by x²- test (4.83) and p value (0.028). The following diseases were seen ; Subchondral sclerosis, osteophytes,
disc degeneration , subchondral multiple small cysts, disc prolapse and spondolysis with variations in ages and sexes. In
conclusuion it was found that, the lumbar region affected early by the age and more affected in males than in females. |
