Frequency of Positive Lumbosacral MRI Results in Patients Ton-traumatic low Back Pain Based on the Specialty of the Referring Physician

Background and Objectives This study aims to assess the frequency of positive lumbosacral magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) results in patients with non-traumatic low back pain (LBP) based on the specialty of the referring physician. Subjects and Methods In this retrospective study, 335 patients with non-traumatic LBP aged >18 years participated. Their demographic information and MRI findings and the specialty of the referring physician were extracted and recorded from the imaging information system of a hospital. Frequency of positive lumbosacral MRI results based on the specialty of the referring physician were compared. To avoid bias, the MRIs with a same imaging protocol were selected, and reporting was done by a same radiologist. Results Of 335 patients, 145(43.3%) were male and 190(57.6%) were female. Among the referring physicians, 139(41.5%) were neurosurgeon, 114(34%) were orthopedists, 61(18.2%) were neurologists, and 21(6.3%) were physical medicine specialist. There was no significant difference in positive MRI results between different specialties of the referring physicians (P>0.05). Conclusion There is no difference in the frequency of positive lumbosacral MRI results in patients with non-traumatic LBP treated by orthopedics, neurologists, neurosurgeons, and physical medicine specialists.