Are Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologies Crucial to Our Understanding of Spinal Conditions?

J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2019 Mar 26;:1-32

Authors: Crawford RJ, Fortin M, Weber KA, Smith A, Elliott JM

Abstract

SYNOPSIS: The development of persistent spinal (traumatic and non-traumatic) pain is common and contributes to high societal and personal costs, globally. There is an acknowledged urgency for new and interdisciplinary approaches to the problem, and soft tissues including skeletal muscles, the spinal cord, and brain are rightly receiving increased attention as important biological contributors. In reaction to recent suspicion of and questioned value for imaging-based findings, this paper serves to recognize the promise that the technological evolution of imaging techniques, and particularly magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), is allowing in characterizing previously less visible morphology. We emphasize the value for quantification and data analysis of several contributors in the biopsychosocial model for understanding spinal pain. Further, we highlight emerging evidence regarding the pathobiology of changes to muscle composition (eg, atrophy, fatty infiltration) as well as advancements in neuro- and musculoskeletal imaging techniques (eg, fat/water imaging, functional MRI, diffusion imaging, magnetization transfer imaging) of these important soft tissues. These non-invasive and objective data sources may complement known prognostic factors of poor recovery, patient self-report, diagnostic tests, and the -omics fields. When combined, advanced 'big-data' analyses may assist in identifying associations previously not considered. Our clinical commentary is supported by empirical findings that may orient future efforts towards collaborative conversation and hypotheses-generation, interdisciplinary research, translating across a number of health fields. Our emphasis is that MRI technologies and research are crucial to the advancement of our understanding of the complexities of spinal conditions. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther, Epub 26 Mar 2019. doi:10.2519/jospt.2019.8793.

PMID: 30913967 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]