Case 8 Discussion

CASE 8: Discussion

Degenerative Disc Disease on MRI

Age % with DDD

• 20-40 36% have degenerated disc

• 50 85-95% have degenerated disc

• 60-80 98% have degenerated disc

Bottom Line: Older patients are likely to have DDD on MRI

-Not necessarily symptomatic!

Herniated Disc Levels on MRI

• 85-95% at L4-L5, L5-S1

• 5-8% at L3-L4

• 2% at L2-L3

• 1% at L1-L2, T12-L1

• Cervical: most common C4-C7

• Thoracic: 15% in asymptomatic pts. at multiple levels

Bottom Line: DDD is more likely to occur within the lower portion of the lumbar spine and cervical spine

CASE 8

Frontal and lateral radiographs of the lumbar spine show narrowing of the L3-L4 disc space with sclerosis of the

end plates and osteophyte production. These findings are characteristic of degenerative disc disease. Notice how

the radiographs highlight the osseous abnormalities, but are limited in their evaluation of the soft tissues. MRI is

superior at evaluating for the presence of a disc herniation and its effect on adjacent nerve roots.

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