Results and implications of lumbar magnetic resonance imaging in military aircrews
Objective To explore the relationships between examination results of lumbar magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)and low back pain and/or nerve root symptoms in aircrews of different ages and aircraft types.Methods The imaging data of 453 aircrews who underwent lumbar MRI examination was retrospectively analyzed,and comparisons were made based on age,aircraft types and other data.The correlations between lumbar disc bulge and/or protrusion,low back pain,and/or nerve root symptoms in these aircrews were analyzed.Results The incidence of lumbar disc bulge and/or protrusion varied among aircrews of different age groups is a statistically significant difference(x2=64.074,P<0.001).The incidence in the group ages 41 to 55 was significantly higher than that of groups ages 31 to 40 and 20 to 30(x2=12.749,30.570,both P<0.001).There was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of lumbar disc bulge and/or protrusion between aircrews of fighters,transport aircraft and helicopters(x2=0.056,P=0.972).Disc bulge and/or protrusion was detected in 343 lumbar segments,which was more prevalent in L4/5 and L5/S1 segments than in L1/4 segments.There was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of lower back pain and/or nerve root symptoms between the normal lumbar spine MRI group and aircrews with lumbar disc herniation and/or protrusion(x2=0.966,P=0.326).Conclusion The results of lumbar MRI show that the incidence of lumbar disc degeneration is high among aircrews and similar across aircrews of different types of aircraft.The detection rate increases with age.There is no significant correlation between lumbar disc degeneration and clinical symptoms.Lumbar MRI can be used to evaluate the severity of low back pain and help opt for treatments in aircrews.
Intervertebral discMagnetic resonance imagingLow back painAircrews