Investigation of the Relationship Between Multifidus Muscle and Lumbar Disc Herniation Through Magnetic Resonance Imaging

INTRODUCTION: The aim of the research is to analyze the relationship between multifidus muscle (MM) atrophy and disc herniation in the lumbar region through magnetic resonance imaging.
METHODS: A total of 254 patients aged between 18 and 62 were evaluated for MM atrophy and herniated discs. Research is conducted retrospectively. T2-weighted axial slices were used for bilateral evaluation of the cross-sectional area and fatty infiltration of the lumbar MM. Analyses were made on L4/L5 and L5/S1 level intervertebral discs and lumbar MMs at these levels. On the T2-weighted axial sequences, visual assessment was used for fatty infiltration and manual measurement techniques for muscle area.
RESULTS: Research demonstrated that 157 of 254 patients involved have L4/L5 level disc herniation, and 89 of 157 patients (35.1%) also have MM atrophy. 28 patients do not have disc herniation but have muscle atrophy. I addition, at the L5/S1 level, 174 of 254 patients have disc herniation, while 114 of them also have muscle atrophy. On the other hand, 56 of 254 patients (11.1%) without disc herniation have MM atrophy.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: In the light of the data mentioned above, the relationship between MM atrophy and disc herniation is determined.