Objective: To investigate the correlation of multifidus muscle atrophy on MRI findings with clinical findings in low back pain patients.
Method: Medical records of 80 patients presenting with low back pain were retrospectively reviewed. Their MR images were visually analysed to know lumbar multifidus muscle atrophy, disc herniation, disc degeneration, spinal stenosis and nerve root compression.
Results: Multifidus muscle atrophy increased from the upper lumbar level to the most caudal intervertebral level. It was bilateral in the majority of the cases. Multifidus muscle atrophy was well correlated with patient's age, referred leg pain, and disc degeneration. However, duration of low back pain, disc herniation, spinal stenosis, nerve root compression, sex, weight, height and BMI had no correlation with multifidus muscle atrophy.
Conclusion: Examination of multifidus muscle atrophy should be considered when assessing MR images of lumbar spine. It may help for further evaluation and planning the treatment modalities of low back pain.
