Magnetic resonance imaging of the lumbar spine: can we reach a consensus and have norms? A plea to colleagues in radiology India

Study Design An analytical study. Purpose To analyze the inadequacies of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) films provided by diagnostic centers, leading to questionable and inconclusive diagnoses. Overview of Literature No literature is currently available on this subject. Methods Lumbosacral MRI fil...

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Main Authors: Arvind G. Kulkarni, Abhijeet D. Wadi, Shankargouda R. Patil, Meet K Shah, Ponnam Ragha Midhun, Sunil S. Chodavadiya
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Korean Spine Society 2025-02-01
Series:Asian Spine Journal
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Online Access:http://asianspinejournal.org/upload/pdf/asj-2024-0389.pdf
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author Arvind G. Kulkarni
Abhijeet D. Wadi
Shankargouda R. Patil
Meet K Shah
Ponnam Ragha Midhun
Sunil S. Chodavadiya
author_facet Arvind G. Kulkarni
Abhijeet D. Wadi
Shankargouda R. Patil
Meet K Shah
Ponnam Ragha Midhun
Sunil S. Chodavadiya
author_sort Arvind G. Kulkarni
collection DOAJ
description Study Design An analytical study. Purpose To analyze the inadequacies of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) films provided by diagnostic centers, leading to questionable and inconclusive diagnoses. Overview of Literature No literature is currently available on this subject. Methods Lumbosacral MRI films of patients who visited the outpatient department between January 2023 and March 31, 2024, were evaluated to check for technical inadequacies. Results A total of 1,150 lumbar MRI sets from 100 MRI centers were examined. Thirty-five percent did not include T1 axial images, and 8% did not include T1 sagittal images. Thirty-eight percent did not specify the sagittal image sequencing (right-to-left or left-to-right). Eighty-five percent of the sagittal images were profiled from right to left, and 15% were profiled from left to right. Macnab’s recommendation was not followed in 970 sets. The axial sectioning of the scout films was nonparallel to the examined segment in 350 sets. The sacroiliac joint was not screened in 40% of the sets. The number of plates provided ranged from two to six films. Conclusions Based on the results obtained, we strongly recommend that radiologists form structured guidelines to be followed by MRI centers to ensure uniformity, address inadequacies, and minimize the chance of errors in diagnosis and subsequent treatment.
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institution Kabale University
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1976-7846
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publishDate 2025-02-01
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spelling doaj-art-a4ee4bdac60c439fb97c27779b772e4a2025-08-20T03:54:01ZengKorean Spine SocietyAsian Spine Journal1976-19021976-78462025-02-01191212710.31616/asj.2024.03891705Magnetic resonance imaging of the lumbar spine: can we reach a consensus and have norms? A plea to colleagues in radiology IndiaArvind G. Kulkarni0Abhijeet D. Wadi1Shankargouda R. Patil2Meet K Shah3Ponnam Ragha Midhun4Sunil S. Chodavadiya5 Department of Spine Surgery, Mumbai Spine Scoliosis & Disc Replacement Centre, Mumbai, India Department of Spine Surgery, Bombay Hospital and Medical Research Centre, Mumbai, India Department of Spine Surgery, Bombay Hospital and Medical Research Centre, Mumbai, India Department of Spine Surgery, Bombay Hospital and Medical Research Centre, Mumbai, India Department of Spine Surgery, Bombay Hospital and Medical Research Centre, Mumbai, India Department of Spine Surgery, Bombay Hospital and Medical Research Centre, Mumbai, IndiaStudy Design An analytical study. Purpose To analyze the inadequacies of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) films provided by diagnostic centers, leading to questionable and inconclusive diagnoses. Overview of Literature No literature is currently available on this subject. Methods Lumbosacral MRI films of patients who visited the outpatient department between January 2023 and March 31, 2024, were evaluated to check for technical inadequacies. Results A total of 1,150 lumbar MRI sets from 100 MRI centers were examined. Thirty-five percent did not include T1 axial images, and 8% did not include T1 sagittal images. Thirty-eight percent did not specify the sagittal image sequencing (right-to-left or left-to-right). Eighty-five percent of the sagittal images were profiled from right to left, and 15% were profiled from left to right. Macnab’s recommendation was not followed in 970 sets. The axial sectioning of the scout films was nonparallel to the examined segment in 350 sets. The sacroiliac joint was not screened in 40% of the sets. The number of plates provided ranged from two to six films. Conclusions Based on the results obtained, we strongly recommend that radiologists form structured guidelines to be followed by MRI centers to ensure uniformity, address inadequacies, and minimize the chance of errors in diagnosis and subsequent treatment.http://asianspinejournal.org/upload/pdf/asj-2024-0389.pdfmagnetic resonance imagingspinal diseaseslumbosacral regiondiagnostic errorssacroiliac joint
spellingShingle Arvind G. Kulkarni
Abhijeet D. Wadi
Shankargouda R. Patil
Meet K Shah
Ponnam Ragha Midhun
Sunil S. Chodavadiya
Magnetic resonance imaging of the lumbar spine: can we reach a consensus and have norms? A plea to colleagues in radiology India
Asian Spine Journal
magnetic resonance imaging
spinal diseases
lumbosacral region
diagnostic errors
sacroiliac joint
title Magnetic resonance imaging of the lumbar spine: can we reach a consensus and have norms? A plea to colleagues in radiology India
title_full Magnetic resonance imaging of the lumbar spine: can we reach a consensus and have norms? A plea to colleagues in radiology India
title_fullStr Magnetic resonance imaging of the lumbar spine: can we reach a consensus and have norms? A plea to colleagues in radiology India
title_full_unstemmed Magnetic resonance imaging of the lumbar spine: can we reach a consensus and have norms? A plea to colleagues in radiology India
title_short Magnetic resonance imaging of the lumbar spine: can we reach a consensus and have norms? A plea to colleagues in radiology India
title_sort magnetic resonance imaging of the lumbar spine can we reach a consensus and have norms a plea to colleagues in radiology india
topic magnetic resonance imaging
spinal diseases
lumbosacral region
diagnostic errors
sacroiliac joint
url http://asianspinejournal.org/upload/pdf/asj-2024-0389.pdf
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