Association between schmorl’s nodes and endplate angulation in patients undergoing for lumber spine magnetic resonance imaging

Abstract

In 1927, pathologist Christian Georg Schmorl described a specific type of vertebral lesion, seen primarily in the thoracolumbar spine, which is now known as Schmorl’s node (SN). Unlike the better-known horizontal disc herniations into the spinal canal or neural foramina, SNs are herniation of nucleus pulposus (NP) through the cartilaginous and bony endplate into the body of an adjacent vertebra. It has been reported that multiple SNs are highly associated with lumbar disc disease and lower back pain. A number of theories have been proposed in an attempt to explain the pathogenesis of SNs; however, no consensus currently exists. Some researchers view SNs as a developmental disease, while others see SNs as a degenerative bone disease. Yet, many researchers believe that one of the reasons of behind the SN pathology include weakening of the disc and vertebral body.This study aims to find out an association between schmorl’s nodes and endplate angulations on Lumber spine Magnetic Resonance Imaging.This was a Cross-Sectional study carried out at Northwest General Hospital Peshawar. This was study of 6 months with a population of 148 patients with Low Back Pain out of which only 44 patients are reported with SNs. Data was collected by Prospective and Retrospective Study and analyzed by using SPSS version 22.It is concluded from this study that many of SNs were observed in patients at various lumber spine levels, and females were seen more affected by SNs than males. SNs were found to have affected more people with L3 and L2 lumber levels.The final study population included 148 patients with LBP coming to NWGH for Lumber MRI, out of which 44 patients were affected with SNs with the mean patient age of 45.64 years and the standard deviation of 14.332 and range of 60.