York, Pa.-based Wellspan Interventional Pain Center researchers investigated the impact of repeated MRIs on treatment for chronic spine pain, according to Clinical Pain Advisor.
The study included 89 patients who received repeated MRIs between June and August 2015. Researchers considered demographical, weight and diagnostic data while analyzing radiologic changes in MRI reports as well as occurrence of surgery after imaging.
Researchers presented the study at the American Pain Society's 36th Annual Scientific Meeting, held in Pittsburgh from May 17 to May 20.
Here are six insights:
1. Researchers found no interval changes on 60.8 percent of lumbar spine MRIs and 75.8 percent of cervical spine MRIs.
2. The study revealed severe changes in 34.6 percent of lumbar spine MRIs and 33.4 percent of cervical spine MRIs.
3. For severe changes in the cervical spine, mean time between MRIs was 2.9 years and for no changes, mean time between MRIs was 2 years.
4. For severe changes in the lumbar spine, mean time between MRIs was 2.6 years and for no changes, mean time between MRIs was 1.7 years.
5. Researchers discovered no patients underwent surgery after lumbar MRI, and seven underwent surgery following cervical MRI.
6. The researchers concluded repeated MRIs did not yield interval changes or surgery following imaging.