0000000000740752
AUTHOR
Kevin Gill
Digital assessment of MRI for lumbar disc desiccation. A comparison of digital versus subjective assessments and digital intensity profiles versus discogram and macroanatomic findings.
During magnetic resonance imaging, a vast amount of digital data on anatomic structures is translated into images, which are then assessed subjectively. The development of an objective, sensitive method to directly assess the digital data would have clear benefits, particularly for clinical research on disc degeneration. The study goals were to develop a method of digital assessment of disc desiccation and to compare digital signal intensity profiles with discographic patterns and macroanatomic findings. Proton density-weighted MRIs were obtained from 45 males (9-77 years) and digital analysis was done with a freely selectable region of interest facility. The adjacent cerebrospinal fluid (C…
Lifetime exercise and disk degeneration: an MRI study of monozygotic twins.
Participation in some competitive sports has been shown to increase disk degeneration; however, the long-term effects of recreational physical activities are unclear. We investigated the effects of endurance exercise and power sports on disk degeneration in monozygotic male twins with contrasting lifetime exercise histories. The effects of endurance exercise were studied in 22 discordant twin pairs (mean lifetime frequencies of 3.9 vs 1.1 times/wk), and the effects of power sports were investigated in 12 discordant pairs (2,300 vs 200 h of weightlifting). The age range of the twins was from 35 to 69 yr. No differences in MRI findings between co-twins discordant for endurance exercise were f…
The Long-Term Effects of Physical Loading and Exercise Lifestyles on Back-Related Symptoms, Disability, and Spinal Pathology Among Men
Study design Historical cohort, including selected subgroups. Objectives To understand the long-term effects of exercise on back-related outcomes, back pain, sciatica, back-related hospitalizations, pensions, and magnetic resonance imaging findings were studied among former elite athletes. Summary of background data Exercise and sports participation have become increasingly popular, as have recommendations of exercises for back problems, but little is known about their long-term effects. Methods Questionnaires were returned by 937 former elite athletes and 620 control subjects (83% response rate). Identification codes allowed record linkage to hospital discharge and pension registers. Magne…
Magnetic resonance imaging findings and their relationships in the thoracic and lumbar spine. Insights into the etiopathogenesis of spinal degeneration.
Study design Descriptive epidemiologic study about magnetic resonance imaging findings in the spine. Objectives To describe the prevalence of magnetic resonance imaging findings in a general population at spinal levels T6-S1, and to examine the relationships of these findings within each spinal level and between levels. Summary of background data The prevalence of specific findings and the associations between findings and spinal levels can provide general insights into the etiopathogenesis of spinal degeneration. Methods Subjects consisted of 232 men from a population sample (mean age 49.3 years). Signal intensity, disc bulging, disc herniation, and endplate irregularities were among 11 fi…