Magnetic resonance imaging findings in Ghanaian patients presenting with low back pain: A single centre study

Background Due to the high prevalence of low back pain which impacts the lives of those affected, several studies have explored findings associated with the lumbar spine which is the affected anatomy using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). This provides a better understanding of the pathology in the study setting and adds to the literature on the subject which is useful during intervention. However, there is a paucity of literature in the Ghanaian context. This study therefore explored the patterns of MRI findings in patients with low back pain. Method A one-year retrospective cross-sectional design with a purposive sampling method was used to retrieve data from 59 MRI lumbar spine radiologist reports with a clinical history of low back pain. Data was analysed using SPSS v26 and Jamovi 2.5.6. Statistical significance was deduced at p < 0.05. Results Radiological reports with a history of low back pain accounted for 32.6% of the total (n = 181) reports identified. A male-to-female ratio of 0.74:1 was identified with a mean age of 44.7 ± 16.1 years. Disc degeneration (93.2%, n = 55) and lumbar spondylolysis (76.3%, n = 45) were the two main findings identified as the most prevalent across reports. The lordotic curvatures of patients with low back pain were predominantly normal (74.6% n = 44). Disc degeneration was strongly associated with L4/L5 (V = 0.644). Conclusion The prevalent finding identified was disc degeneration frequently located at L4/L5. While this study could be a stepping stone for future research in this context, it provides some level of evidence which could be useful to Ghanaian healthcare providers for more focused assessments and interventions. This targeted approach can enhance diagnostic accuracy and improve treatment outcomes for patients suffering from low back pain, facilitating timely and appropriate management strategies. Clinical trial number Not applicable