Neurosciences & Brain Imaging Open Access

Abstract

Contribution of the MRI in the Diagnostics of Spinal Pathologies in Tropical Setting

Komi Assogba, Lantam Sonhaye, Kossivi M Apetse, Komi I Agbotsou, Panabalo K Waklatsi1, Damelan Kombate, Abdullah Blakime, Victor K Adjenou and Koffi AA Balogou

Background: Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is the gold standard and an urgent first-line imaging test for the diagnosis of the spinal pathologies. The objective was to determine the contribution of MRI in the diagnostics of vertebromedullary diseases.

Methods: The study was done in a clinic with surgery, medicine and radiology units. The radiology department has medical imaging materials including MRI unit of 0.3 Tesla opened field. It was a retrospective study from January 2015 to December 2017. The study had concerned patients who came to perform MRI of the spine in the context of medullary pathology. The operator gathers the relevant information on the analysis report sheet and prepares the patient for the examination.

Results: MRI examinations accounted for 1,200 cases or 5.17% per year, and vertebro-medullary disease accounted for 440 MRI activities, or 38.83%. We recorded 256 men. The average age was 48.83 ± 13.01 years with extremes of 10 and 79 years, and 59.31% had between 40 and 49 years. Radiculalgia was the most functional sign in 37.70%. Lesions leading to narrowing of the spinal canal were dominated by diffuse disc protrusions. The herniated discs were paramedian (66.99%), migrated descending (59.26%) and led to radicular compressions in 34.72%. Of the 27 trauma patients, 20 (74.08%) had vertebral fractures and 7 (25.92%) had post traumatic spinal sequels.

Conclusion: Spinal cord compression remains in African countries a frequent daily challenge. It is a diagnostic and therapeutic emergency condition. The etiologies are dominated by degenerative pathologies, arachnoid cysts and intramedullary sequel traumas.