European spine journal : official publication of the European Spine Society, the European Spinal Deformity Society, and the European Section of the Cervical Spine Research Society
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Fat infiltration (FI) of the paraspinal muscles (PSMs) measured using MRI is an aspect of muscle quality and is considered to be worse in chronic low back pain (cLBP) patients. However, there is not a clear association between paraspinal muscle FI and cLBP, leaving the clinical importance of paraspinal muscle composition unestablished. The spatial distribution of FI in the PSMs may inform mechanistic understanding of non-specific cLBP as it relates to degenerative intervertebral disc (IVD) pathology. We hypothesized that paraspinal muscle fat-mapping would reveal distinct FI distribution patterns in relation to cLBP symptoms and proximity to symptomatic IVD degeneration. ⋯ Our study identified spatial distribution patterns of FI in the PSMs as a potential diagnostic biomarker that may also provide granular mechanistic insights into spine biomechanics related to cLBP, as well as advancing the use of prior summary measures limited to overall muscle FI.
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Quantitative comparison of diffusion parameters from various models of diffusion-weighted (DWI) and diffusion kurtosis (DKI) imaging for distinguishing spinal metastases and chordomas. ⋯ Monoexponential, biexponential, and stretched-exponential models of DWI and DKI can potentially differentiate spinal metastases and chordomas. D combined with f and α performed best.
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Low back pain (LBP) is a common health problem in the global population. This study aims to assess whether smoking initiation, alcohol consumption, and coffee consumption are causally with an increased risk of LBP. ⋯ Smoking is casually associated with an increased risk of LBP. Smoking control should be recommended in LBP patients to avoid worsening the disease. The safety of LBP with moderate alcohol and coffee consumption merits more study.
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This study aimed to assess the prevalence of chronic low back pain (CLBP) and related biopsychosocial factors in urban and rural communities in Benin. ⋯ This study showed a high prevalence of CLBP among urban and rural communities in Benin. Age, level of education, marital status, and working status were significantly associated with CLBP in Benin.