Diagnostic Agreement between Magnetic Resonance Image and Computed Tomography in Degenerative Cervical Diseases

Ahn, Tae Joon; Hyun, Dong Keun; Park, Hyun Sun; Kim, En Young; Park, Chong Oon; Ha, Young Soo; Park, Hyung Chun

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
This study is aimed to estimate the equality of two diagnostic modalities of computed tomography(CT) and magnetic resonance image in herniated intervertebral disc and other degenerative cervical diseases.
METHODS
Retrospective study was carried out on 37 patients who have undergone surgery for degenerative cervical diseases from December 1996 to February 2001. Mean age was 49.7 years. Twenty eight patients were male(mean age : 48.4 years) and 9 patients female(mean age : 53.7 years). Magnetic resonance image and CT of the patients were evaluated blindly about 5 items as bony spur, existence of ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament(OPLL), intradiscal calcification, herniated intervertebral disc and spinal stenosis.
RESULTS
While comparing radiologic results, bony spur was found in CT of 25 patients and magnetic resonance image of 20 patients, OPLL was seen in CT of six and magnetic resonance image of four and herniated intervertebral disc was seen in CT of 32 patients and MRI of 33 patients. These three diagnosis were considered to be concordant between CT and magnetic resonance image(p<0.01). Intradiscal calcification was seen in CT of 6 patients and magnetic resonance imge of one patient that the diagnosis was not considered statistically concordant(p=0.023). Although spinal stenosis was positive in CT of 16 patients and magnetic resonance image of 13 patients, diagnostic concordance could not be stated(p=0.345).
CONCLUSION
Bony spur, OPLL and the herniated intervertebral disc may be diagnosed by any of the radiologic method because both magnetic resonance image and CT have shown statistically significant diagnostic concordance. Since intradiscal calcification and spinal stenosis have not shown diagnostic concordance, it is thought that either diagnostic method alone may not be sufficient confirmative diagnosis.